Fulani herdsmen have  converted the National Stadium, Abuja, into a fertile land for cattle pasture as weeds overtake the package B section of  the $360m  facility.

Our correspondent, who visited the stadium on Tuesday, saw tall grasses in almost every part of the complex.

Fresh and dried cow   dung could be seen on the asphalt within the complex showing that the animals regularly graze on the grasses at the stadium.

Security officials manning the gate blamed the sports ministry for the deterioration in the condition of the stadium – and for giving the herdsmen unhindered access to the stadium, which hosted the 2003 All Africa Games won by Nigeria.

One of  the security men,  who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity,  said some of the ministry officials are happy that  herdsmen have converted the busy stadium into a grazing field.

The source said, “The herdsmen come into the stadium with their cattle almost every day. They come through the collapsed portion of the fence and we can’t stop them because we are not armed.

“The management are  aware of the situation, but they have refused to do anything about it, meaning  they are  comfortable with it.”

Another guard described the presence of the herdsmen and their cattle at the stadium  as “an embarrassment”, but noted that the security unit was helpless to stop them.

He said, “We can’t stop them because  we are not armed, and they (sports ministry) have refused to engage policemen to beef up security around the stadium.

“Look at weeds everywhere on the premises and they have refused to engage someone to clear the weeds. Maybe the government is trying to save money by allowing the animals to graze on weeds.”

Punch