Oyo state Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Barrister Olasunkanmi Olaleye, has declared that the anti-open grazing law is still in force in the state.
He made this declaration while addressing newsmen at a inter-ministerial press briefing held in Ibadan on Thursday.
The press briefing was attended by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Adenike Adeyemo and the Chief Press Secretary the state Governor, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, among other political office holders.
Recall that the State House of Assembly had in 2019 passed the anti-open grazing bill, which was later signed into law by Governor Seyi Makinde.
Declaring that the anti-open grazing law is still in force, the commissioner warned that anyone found culpable of violating the law would be dealt with.
Olaleye added that more than 58 cows have been arrested in the last two years, while many herdsmen have been charged to court for violating the law.
He maintained that the state government constructed a security post at Ijaye Farm Settlement in order to strengthen security.
According to him, the state is now safe for farmers who have intention to go into commercial farming.
Olaleye said, “On the herdsmen attack that you spoke about, Oyo State is the safest for farmers. We have enough arable farmlands. We have the highest number of Amotekun personnel.
“More than 58 cows have been arrested in the last two years. We have imposed fines on many herdsmen for violating the law. We have charged some herdsmen to court.
“The anti-open grazing law is still in force. We have constructed security post at Ijaye Farm Settlement. So, no farmer has left the Ijaye Farm Settlement.
“In order to ensure food security, we have also talked with some communities to give us their lands they are not using for us to use for agricultural production.”