The Delta State Government has announced plans to begin profiling herders and cattle owners across the state as part of efforts to curb recurring clashes between herders and farmers.
According to The PUNCH, Chief Jeffrey Azagba, Special Adviser to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori on Livestock and Inter-Ethnic Relations, revealed the initiative during a meeting with the Delta State chapter of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) held in Asaba on Wednesday.
Azagba described the security situation in some communities as troubling, attributing it partly to the activities of armed herdsmen.
“It is disturbing that armed herders are wreaking havoc in certain communities. By profiling them, we can distinguish between the law-abiding herders and the criminal elements among them,” he said. “Our goal is to create an environment where agricultural activities can thrive without fear.”
He added that any individual or group found aiding or sheltering criminal activities would face legal consequences. “Anyone involved in crime or supporting it should either leave or prepare to face the law,” Azagba warned.
The government is calling on MACBAN to submit a detailed list of all its members operating in the state to support the profiling process.
The initiative, according to Azagba, is in line with the governor’s peace and development agenda aimed at ensuring safety and fostering harmony among all communities.
In response, the Secretary of MACBAN in Delta State, Mustapha Suleiman, expressed appreciation for the government’s approach and pledged full cooperation.
“We welcome the government’s decision and will collaborate to ensure peaceful coexistence,” Suleiman stated. “This is a step in the right direction.”