Prominent environmentalist and peace advocate, Chief (Comrade) Sheriff Mulade, has expressed deep frustration over the Delta State Government’s failure to enforce the Anti-Open Grazing and Prohibition Law passed in 2021. The law, he noted, remains largely unimplemented, leaving farmers exposed to violence, economic hardship, and insecurity.
Chief Mulade, who holds the traditional title of Ibe-Serimowei of Gbaramatu Kingdom and serves as the National Coordinator of the Center for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ), described the situation as a glaring failure of governance and political will.
“In 2021, the Delta State Government introduced the Anti-Open Grazing Law, a move widely seen as a step toward resolving the ongoing conflict between herders and farmers,” Mulade stated. “But nearly four years later, the law exists only on paper. There has been no genuine effort to enforce its provisions, which shows that it was more about political optics than meaningful change.”
The law was enacted to address the recurring crisis between nomadic cattle herders and local farmers, a conflict that has escalated in many parts of Nigeria. Mulade emphasized that the legislation was supposed to serve as a safeguard; protecting farmlands, reducing violence, and promoting peaceful coexistence.
“Open grazing has caused loss of lives, destroyed crops, and heightened insecurity,” he explained. “The law was intended to regulate the movement of livestock and prevent these kinds of crises. But the refusal to enforce it has instead deepened tensions in rural communities.”
According to Mulade, the consequences of the law’s non-enforcement are dire. He cited rising food insecurity, criminal activities such as kidnapping and farm invasions, and the erosion of public trust in government institutions.
“The state’s failure to act has left many farmers helpless as their lands are repeatedly encroached upon. The economic and psychological toll is unbearable,” he said. “This neglect has not only increased the risk of violent conflict but also undermined the security and economic wellbeing of thousands of citizens.”
He further warned that unless the government shows the political courage to implement the law, Delta State will continue to face serious security and agricultural setbacks.
“By failing to take responsibility, the government is indirectly fueling the hardship of the people. This law should not be a political decoration; it should be a tool to protect lives and livelihoods,” he said.
Chief Mulade called on relevant authorities to immediately begin the full enforcement of the Anti-Open Grazing Law, emphasizing that sustainable peace, food security, and public confidence in governance depend on it.
