Insecurity: Kwara govt to prioritise educating herders’ children

Kwara State Government says it will prioritise Fulani herders’ children’s education to make them good leaders and end insecurity in the state.

Speaking at a security meeting organised by the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN) for herders, security agencies, and other stakeholders across the 16 local government areas of the state in Ilorin, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq said that educating Fulani children will prevent them from joining bad groups.

Governor AbdulRazaq, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Strategy, Abdulsalam Atiku, said the fight against insecurity requires a well-organised strategy through the use of education to enlighten people on the dangers of engaging in criminal activities.

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The governor said that Fulani herders should also be educated on the need to adopt modern methods of rearing cattle as opposed to the old practice of roaming about as a way to end farmers-herders clashes.

He said the state government has brought a lot of interventions for herders across the 16 local government areas of the state to support their vocations.

He advised the Fulani leaders to renew their commitments towards security and ensure better welfare for their people.

In her remarks, the Senior Special Assistant to the Kwara state governor on Herdsmen and Community Outreach, Hajiya Aishatu Yusuf Baruten, said the state government was committed to ensuring security in the nooks and crannies of the state.

She urged residents in Fulani communities to support the efforts of the state government in the maintenance of law and order.

In his address, a member representing Banni/Adena state constituency in the state House of Assembly, Hon. Saidu Baba, said the problem of insecurity should be tackled with all the necessary strength it deserves.

The lawmaker said the challenges of banditry, kidnapping, and cattle rustling have become a nightmare to the state and the country as a whole.

He said the state legislators will continue to make laws that will reduce the security challenges to a minimum.

The lawmaker called for the collaboration of all stakeholders to ensure that security challenges become a thing of the past.

The chairman of MACBAN, Kwara state chapter, Alhaji Shehu Garba, said the issue of insecurity has made life unbearable for the Fulani herders.

He advised Fulani herders to support government efforts aimed at bringing an end to the security challenges bedeviling them.

Alhaji Garba said the situation, if not given the required attention, may lead to the collapse of livestock farming in the state and the country in general.

In his remarks, Hardon Hardodi (Fulani Leader) in Kwara state, Alhaji Ojonla Mahmud, represented by Ali Muhammed Jowuro, said the Fulani herders will ensure adequate support for government initiatives to end insecurity at all levels.

He advised herders to ensure vigilance and report any suspicious movement around them to the security agencies for prompt action.

Earlier in his address of welcome, the secretary of MACBAN, Kwara state chapter, Abdulazeez Mohammed, said the meeting is meant to raise their voice over the security challenges in the state, particularly in Kwara South.

He said the herders are being abducted daily, with their source of livelihood being taken away.

The MACBAN secretary said the security situation has led to abandonment of communities by the Fulani for fear of being killed.

Abdulazeez said the Fulani herders are seen as troublemakers and also face persecution in society, which makes life unbearable for them.

He described the situation as pathetic, saying that the association has written to those leaving to return, adding that arrangements have been put in place to ensure safety and security of lives and property in the state.

The MACBAN secretary appealed to all stakeholders to support government efforts to ensure peace and security in the affected communities across the state.