Cattle rustling: Govt may reintroduce cattle loading, off loading permits

In order to checkmate cattle rustling in the country, trucks conveying cattle may be compelled to show their loading and off loading permits through international, federal and state animal control posts.

The Assistant Inspector of Police, Charles (AIG) Ugomuoh,  said this on Tuesday, at a  stakeholders’ meeting on curtailment of cattle rustling in Nigeria, at  the Force Headquarters,Abuja.

According to him, the need for the resuscitation of show your loading and off loading permits of cattle in trucks at the control posts  is critical   in the life of the nation

“Truck drivers must show their loading and off loading permits and in default, will risk arrest by the police” he said

The AIG added that the federal and state directors of livestock and veterinary services, have the responsibility to   furnish   the police with  the   lists of all the animal control posts nationwide for effective enforcement of the law.

In his address, the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, said that the Nigeria Police   would collaborate with different relevant stakeholders to checkmate cattle rustling and animal theft in the country.

He noted that the gathering will assist in providing more measures to curb cattle rustling and animal theft in the country.

According to him, the issue of cattle rustling had become a national menace, leading to  the destruction of lives and property in various parts of the country, hence,  it has become necessary for them to seek collaborative efforts involving all  relevant stakeholders    to tackle  the  menace.

He  said that with the assistance of relevant  stakeholders in the chain of cattle movement and application of relevant laws, cattle rustling could be drastically reduced.

Also speaking on   the occasion, Alhaji Aliyu Saleh,  the organising secretary, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, said that majority of cattle rustlers were Fulanis, adding  that the use of force by security personnel could not  solve the problem of cattle rustling in the country.