The Edo State chapter of National Association of Cattle Dealers, Processors and Marketers of Nigeria (NACDPAMN) has formally requested an extension of the deadline set by the Ikpoba‑Okha Local Government Council for compliance with its new ban on open grazing. The appeal was made on November 25, 2025, during a courtesy visit by the association’s representatives to the Local Government chairman, Sino Eric Osawaru.
During the meeting, the association’s spokesperson, identified as Mr. Ahmed Evbareke, expressed full support for the principle of the ban but explained that many cattle dealers required more time to reorganise their operations. He said the extension would allow them to establish suitable ranches and properly register and identify their livestock under the new regulations.
Evbareke argued that forcing compliance by the original December 1 deadline would risk disenfranchising lawful traders who are citizens of Edo State, rather than foreigners as sometimes portrayed. “We are law‑abiding citizens. We just need time to adapt,” he reportedly told the council chairman.
Council Chairman Osawaru responded by reiterating that open grazing has contributed to repeated destruction of crops and farmlands, a major grievance of host communities and affirmed that the ban remains in force. However, he indicated that the request for a brief grace period would be considered. The requested extension underscores the difficulties many pastoralists and cattle‑dealers face transitioning from traditional grazing to ranching, a shift that the state government and many other southern states have pursued to avert frequent farmer‑herder conflicts.
