A controversial ban on open cattle grazing comes into force today in south-east Nigeria’s Benue state.
It follows violent clashes between cattle herders and local farmers last year over rights to grassland.
Hundreds of people were killed in the violence and whole communities destroyed.
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The state government says the new law will affect everyone and all livestock must be kept on ranches.
Fulani herdsmen say they’re being targeted and have described the law as a recipe for anarchy.
But the Benue government says its aim is to restore peace.
Anyone who breaks the new law could be jailed for up to five years.
Nigeria has large grassland areas dedicated to grazing, mainly in the north but desert encroachment and the eight-year insurgency by militant Islamist group Boko Haram means there is less grass available.
Cattle herders have since taken their animals southwards to seek greener pastures, increasing tensions over control of land.
