Herdsmen: Those living in forest don’t need Akeredolu’s permission

Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has said Nigerians don’t need the permission of any governor to reside in any part of the country.

Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu had given herders who are “occupying Ondo forests illegally” an ultimatum to leave. He also banned underage grazing, night grazing, and movement of cattle within the cities and on highways.

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But Mohammed faulted Akeredolu’s action, saying it would be inappropriate to label an entire tribe as criminals, based on the crimes of a few members of the ethnic group.

Governor Mohammed spoke on Channels Television on Friday.

“Land is in the hands of the state and federal governments in trust but Nigerians don’t need the permission of governors or the federal government to settle everywhere. You don’t need the permission of the governor of Bauchi or the governor of Ondo to be in the forests of Ondo if you choose to live in the forests because under Section 41 of the constitution, you are free to settle anywhere,” he said.

Akeredolu had earlier criticized Mohammed for defending the use of arms by herders after the governor said herders carry weapons for self-defence.

The Ondo State governor said the comment could encourage all other Nigerians to carry arms.