By Agency Reporter
The Kwara government has warned Fulani herdsmen against banditry as it begins to witness an influx of cattle and nomads into the state.
The caution followed the recent trooping of more cattle breeders into the state from other states.
Aisha Aliyu-Baruten, the Special Assistant to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq on Herdsmen and Community Outreach, advised in Ilorin on Sunday while addressing a meeting of members of the association in the state.
The meeting, held at the governor’s instance, was to ensure that peace reign among the cattle breeders and the people of the state.
“This meeting is organised because of the influx of our people from various parts of the country and beyond who are running for safety due to crisis between farmers and Fulani in their former abodes,” she explained.
“l call on all Fulanis presently residing in the state to demonstrate a peaceful and harmonious relationship with everybody to sustain the peace and harmony the state is known for,” Ms. Aliyu-Baruten added.
The governor’s aide called on cattle breeders’ leaders in the state to embrace modern livestock rearing to prevent further clashes between herdsmen and farmers.
She expressed her gratitude to AbdulRasaq for investing in sustaining peace and security in the state.
Ms. Aliyu-Baruten advised all cattle breeders residing in the state to shun promoters of violence or criminal activities and urged law enforcement agents to deal with anybody caught committing a crime.
The governor’s representative at the meeting and former senator representing Kwara South senatorial district, Sen. Suleiman Ajadi, attributed negative acts perpetrated by herdsmen to external influence.
He called on the herdsmen to fish out bad elements for peace and harmony to continue to reign in the state.
The representative of the Commissioner of Police in the state, SP Aregbe Toyin, also urged the herdsmen and other residents to continue to be law-abiding.
The meeting was attended by all cattle breeders’ leaders from all the 16 local government areas of the state and neighbouring Osun.
(NAN)
