The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, has disclosed that the clashes between herdsmen and farmers will persist until state Governors establish ranches for herders in their states.
The Police Boss insisted that the herders can only be arrested or punished for open grazing if ranches are provided by the states.
Speaking at the Northern States Stakeholders Security Summit in Kaduna, he said “it is my humble suggestion that to reduce the incidence of clashes between Farmers and Herders in Nigeria, State Governments should endeavour to establish grazing ranches in their various states before enacting laws to prohibit open rearing and grazing.
“It is when grazing ranches are established that herders can be arrested and punished for rearing and grazing on the open places.”
Ibrahim Idris said the establishment of ranches, “will make the law acceptable by all the parties concern and other critical stakeholders in that all-important sector.
“It will do us good if we avoid the hasty formulation and implementation of such laws across the country in the interest of peace and unity. For instance, I have visited Benue and Nasarawa States and observed that the crisis trailing the Benue State prohibition of open rearing and grazing of livestock would have been mitigated if the State had first established grazing ranches before the prohibition of open grazing as provided in the State law established by the State Assembly”.
On the crisis in Zamfara state, the IGP who is the Convener of the summit said, “clashes in Zamfara State resulting to the loss of lives of many people is another serious security issue which requires urgent steps to avoid further death. It should again be noted that the criminal attacks started as far back as 2011 to the best of my ability”.
He, however, said “This present administration has also been taking steps to avert it. When I learnt of the incident, I quickly mobilised officers to the scene to stop the attacks. I equally visited Zurmi and Gusau, where I had consultations with the Deputy Governor of the State who stood in for the Governor”.
He said the summit with the theme “Nation Building: Security Questions, the Need for Inclusive Approach” is to discuss the burning issues of security and the need to find lasting solutions to its challenges in our dear Country Nigeria; in line with the desire of Mr President to provide security to all Nigerians irrespective of Political, Religious or Ethnic affiliations.
“This Security Summit is apt and coming at an appropriate time in view of the Herders/Farmers Clashes in some parts of the Country, the killings in Zamfara, the abduction of some school girls in Dapchi, Yobe State and other security challenges in other parts of the country. These developments are unacceptable to me and I am doing my best to put all needed security infrastructures to find lasting solutions to the challenges.
“This is why I have ceaselessly continued to interface and collaborate with the people and other security agencies to resolve the issue.
” Today’s Security Summit presents to us, yet another golden opportunity to continue to dialogue and examine the question of security and its challenges in Nigeria.
“It is to articulate strategies to tackle the different security challenges confronting the various States, be it Herders-Farmers clashes, Insurgency, Armed Robbery, Kidnapping, Cattle Rustling and Militancy. Today’s theme is special and deliberately chosen to once more emphasise the importance of an all-inclusive and collaborative approach to deal with security questions in our quest for Nation Building”.
He said from the month of December till now, the Police have arrested over 200 Kidnappers, Armed Robbery and Cattle Rustling Suspects in various parts of the Country. Over 50 AK 47 Rifles, Twenty (20) English made pistols, Two(2) 5MG Rifles, over 1000 rounds of AK 47 Rifles and other assorted pistols ammunition were recovered from them.
“These recoveries raises a serious alarm on the number of illegal arms and ammunition at the disposal of criminals and bandits. This must not be allowed to continue especially as the 2019 general election is fast approaching. To stop this trend, I have directed all commissioners of Police in the States Commands and their supervisory AIGs to ensure the mop-up of illegally acquired arms and ammunition in the Country. Twenty-one (21) days ultimatum has been given to persons in possession of illegally acquired firearms. The Police do not have the power to issue a licence for the possession of Pump action guns and other lethal weapons under the Firearms Act.
“Anybody that is holding pump action on the belief that he has a licence from the police is, therefore, committing a crime under the Firearm Act. A situation where some state governments arm their security outfits with Pump action and AK47 riffles is unacceptable and must not be allowed to continue. At the expiration of the 21 days ultimatum, any person found with Pump Action and all other prohibited firearms will be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law”.
According to him, “It is expected that a communiqué, itemising the agreed solutions to our security challenges in the North will be issued. Let me assure you that Commissioners of Police especially in the Northern states will be mandated to implement the contents of the communiqué. I will, therefore, enjoin you to take the paper presentations and the syndicate works very seriously for optimum result”.
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