The Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, has made an
interesting revelation about the true identity of the herdsmen that has
kidnapped and caused the death of some prominent Nigerians.
Arase revealed that the notorious herdsmen are not Nigerians but
rather come from Mali and Chad. According to him, cattle rustlers are
able to gain entrance into the country with their cattle as a result of
the porous borders.
He disclosed this during an interactive session with farmers and
other stakeholders in Ondo State held at the Officers’ Mess in Akure,
the state capital on Friday.
Arase said, “We should also know about the history of
migration. Most of these herdsmen are not Nigerians. They are people
from Mali, Chad, who came into our system. So, that is why we have to be
very careful. Our borders are very porous. Predominantly our own
herdsmen are law abiding people.
“But when people come from outside with their cattle, we should
not deny them entry because of ECOWAS protocols, good neighborliness
but, at the same time, we should not allow them to embark on criminal
activities.”
During the visit, the police boss met with the state governor, Dr.
Olusegun Mimiko, and discussed the possibility of setting up cattle
ranches across the country to end the incessant clashes between the
herdsmen and the farmers.
“I have taken suggestions about how we can develop big ranches so that they can stop grazing on farmlands,” the IGP stated.
He also urged the farmers and other stakeholder to be careful and
take caution in dealing with the herdsmen as they may be dangerous and
armed.
No comments:
Post a Comment