The Delta State government has unveiled plans to profile herdsmen and cattle owners operating within the state as part of comprehensive efforts to address rising incidents of violence against farmers and promote peaceful coexistence.
Chief Jeffrey Azagba, Special Adviser to the Governor on Livestock and Inter-Ethnic Relations, disclosed this strategy during a meeting with members of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Delta State Chapter.
"It is worrisome that armed herdsmen are causing havoc in some communities. Profiling them will help identify the bad eggs and ensure peace in our communities," Azagba stated.
The Special Adviser urged MACBAN leadership to submit a comprehensive list of their members, emphasizing that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori remains committed to rooting out elements undermining his peace and development agenda.
"Delta State is an agrarian state. We must scale up agricultural production without the fear of insecurity. Anyone aiding or abetting criminal activities should either relocate or be prepared to face the full weight of the law," he warned.
Responding to the government's initiative, Mustapha Suleiman, State Secretary of MACBAN, expressed gratitude and assured that the herdsmen community would fully support and align with the administration's peace and security agenda.
"We appreciate the government's approach and will work hand in hand to ensure a peaceful coexistence," Suleiman affirmed.
The profiling initiative comes amid increasing concerns about farmer-herder conflicts in various parts of Nigeria, which have resulted in loss of lives, destruction of farmlands, and displacement of communities.
Analysts view this move as a significant step toward addressing the security challenges posed by criminal elements among herders while protecting the interests of legitimate pastoralists and farming communities in Delta State.
