The Inspector General of Police, IGP, Ibrahim Idris, has disclosed why the Force can’t arrest herdsmen for open grazing across the country.
Idris said the Force can only arrest or punish herdsmen when state governors establish ranches.
Speaking at the Northern States Stakeholders Security Summit in Kaduna, the police boss maintained that establishing cattle ranch will also bring to an end the crisis between herdsmen and farmers.
According to Idris, “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.”
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”.
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