Yoruba youths demand end to open grazing

May 07, 2025

By Ayinde Adeleke

The Yoruba Afenifere Youth Organisation of Nigeria (YAYON) has called on Governors of Southwest states to ban open grazing in the region to boost security.

The demand was made during the South West and Other Yoruba Speaking States Security Summit in Ibadan, Oyo State.

“We urge our governors to implement effective anti-open grazing laws and accelerate action on ranching to prevent clashes between crop farmers and herdsmen,” said Eric Oluwole, YAYON National President.

This move aims to ensure food security and protect farmers from losses caused by cattle grazing on plantations.

The group also appealed to the federal Government to curb the influx of trans-border herdsmen entering Nigeria with cattle, citing their role in farm destruction.

“There is a need for coordinated, intelligence-driven security measures across the South West,” the communiqué signed by Oluwole read.

The summit proposed the establishment of a South West Joint Security Task Force, comprising the Nigeria Police Force, military, DSS, Amotekun Corps, and other security agencies.

Other recommendations included a central command and communication centre for intelligence sharing and a centralised security incident reporting platform.

The demands aim to address rising violent attacks, kidnappings, and farmland destruction by herdsmen, which threaten lives, food security, economic activities, and public confidence.