Fun-seekers complain as group graze cattle at National Theatre

People gave the advice in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos.

Fun-seekers have urged the management of the National Theatre, Lagos, to check on the constant encroachment of herdsmen who graze cattle within the premises of the national monument.

They gave the advice in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos.

They said that the sight of herdsmen moving their animals around to feed on the monument`s lawns was not fit for a tourist centre.

The fun seekers added that apart from polluting the theatre`s environment with their dung, the animals posed danger to visitors as they could run out of control and inflict severe injuries on them.

"Honestly, I do not know what the animals are doing here? I keep seeing all these cattle all the time.

"And I wonder if the theatre has become a pasture or it is actually a place where people can come to relax.

"Sometimes, the environment smells of dung and you are lucky if you do not step on the animals` wastes while moving around.

"This is not just good for the theatre; the management has to do something about it. They have to stop the animals from coming in here,’’ a fun seeker, Mr Tunde Ajibade said.

Another fun-seeker, Mrs Mojisola Adu, said the constant presence of cattle around the theatre could scare visitors away especially as the country was experiencing security challenges.

Adu explained that fun spots were usual targets for terrorists, adding that criminals could disguise as herdsmen to launch attacks on unsuspecting fun seekers.

"You know stories of killer herdsmen are everywhere nowadays and all these terrorists like to attack people where and when they are enjoying themselves.

"I am not saying those ones at the theatre are criminals. What I am saying is that we have to be proactive and stop anything that could make people vulnerable.

"Again, animals like cattle are not supposed be around a place like this. The management of the theatre should take the appropriate steps to stop the practice by the herdsmen,’’ she said.

Another visitor, Mr Emeka Duru, said the ease with which herdsmen moved in and out of the theatre premises with cattle spoke of the security laxity at the tourist centre.

He, therefore, said there was the need for the management to put in place stringent security measures to ensure that only fun-seekers and those who had legitimate business had access to it.

Duru pointed out that some fun seekers especially children might have phobia for cattle because of threats they could pose.

He added that people with such fear might stop coming to the theatre because of the animals.

Mrs Margaret Arinze, who runs a food joint around the theatre, appealed to the management to ensure the monument`s premises was always cleared of dung.

She said the animals` wastes were everywhere around the theatre and that the smell always disturbed operators of businesses around as well as visitors who had come to picnic.