Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, has declared that clashes between herdsmen and farmers will persist until state governors establish ranches for herders in their states.

Also, Idris told the governors that herders can only be arrested or punished for open grazing if ranches are provided by the states.

The police boss spoke yesterday at the Northern States Stakeholders’ Security Summit, with the theme, ‘National Building: Security Challenges and the Need for Inclusive Approach’, held in Kaduna.

Idris 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.”

Benue, Taraba and Ekiti states have put in place anti-open grazing law.

Idris said establishment of ranches “will make the law acceptable by all the parties concerned 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 prohibition of open grazing as provided in the state law established by the state assembly,” Idris said.

IGP also spoke on the problem of banditry in Zamfara, saying that the present administration was taking steps to avert future occurrence.

“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.

“Some arrests have already been made and the outcome of investigation will be made known soonest,” he said.

He said that the police had, from December, arrested over 200 kidnappers, armed robbery and cattle rustling suspects in various parts of the country.

New Telegraph