Kano to re-register 371 encroached grazing reserves after governor's executive order

Kano State is moving to reclaim approximately 371 grazing reserves and cattle routes that have been encroached upon, following a recent executive order by Governor Abba Yusuf. The order strictly forbids any allocation of these designated areas, aiming to restore them for their intended purpose.

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No ministry, department, or agency, including the Ministry of Agriculture, local government authorities, traditional institutions, titleholders, or individuals within the state, shall allocate, permit, or confer any right of occupancy, whether permanent or temporary, on any designated grazing reserve or cattle route.

The governor has empowered the State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission to enforce the order, with the authority to prosecute any individuals or institutions found violating it. This move directly addresses the long-standing issue of encroachment on lands historically set aside for nomadic herders.

Grazing reserves and livestock routes, known locally as Burtali, were established in the 1960s to facilitate the movement of cattle and prevent conflicts with agricultural lands. However, decades of expansion by crop farmers have led to the illegal sale, allocation, or urbanization of these areas. This encroachment often results in migrating herds damaging crops, leading to retaliatory actions by farmers against livestock, and escalating into violent disputes.

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Under this order, the commission shall deploy all available legal instruments to check the excesses of Kano State public institutions, including local government councils, and prosecute violators.

Leaders from the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) and the Fulani Development Association of Nigeria (FULDAN) have welcomed the government's initiative. They described the re-gazetting as a positive and necessary step to protect pastoral resources and foster peaceful coexistence between herders and farmers. The groups highlighted that the encroachment on grazing lands has been a major cause of the persistent clashes between the two communities.

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We particularly commend Governor Abba Kabir-Yusuf for issuing an Executive Order pro