The Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Finance and Operation (DIG) Sulieman Mohammed has advised herders to embrace ranching as the surest way of reducing clashes between them and farmers.
DIG, Sulieman who gave the advice while responding to a complaint by one of the leaders of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria in Sokoto over cattle rustling and other crimes committed against the Fulani tribes in Nigeria, maintained that, open grazing is no longer feasible because of population explosion.
According to DIG Sulieman, Nigeria has cattle routes when the country was just around 50 million people. “But today, the population is more than 200 million. Resultantly, urbanization and settlements has taken over such routes. Therefore, I am advising that herders in Nigeria should think of ranch establishment”.
Addressing stakeholders at the Sokoto State Police Command, the DIG who is in the state for a 2 Day operational visit said while the police and other security agencies are are in the field trying to secure the country, the job of ensuring absolute security must be seen as everybody’s responsibility.
“We are here because we believe security and good governance is a shared job. While our officers are on the frontline taking the battle directly to the criminals and bandits, we know that the ultimate weapon against crime is unity, a trusting and vigilant community”.
DIG Suleiman further appealed to both religious and traditional leaders in the state to continue preaching on tne sanctity of human life, speak against evil or banditary and actively discourage youth from being recruited into criminal network or serving as informants”.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, Sokoto State Commissioner of Police (CP) Hayatu Hassan Shaffa admitted that the state is critical to Nigerian security hence it shares a porous international border with the Republic of Niger and states like Zamfara and Kebbi.
While thanking the DIG and the IG for their continued support to the State Command, CP shaffa promised to do more even as roles out some of the successes achieved under his watch since assuming office this year.
Dignitaries who graced the occasion include, the AIG, Zone 10, Sector Commander FRSC, heads of other sister security agencies, leaders of Association of Resident Communities, and various other groups.
