The Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, says most herdsmen that cause trouble in Nigeria are foreigners, specifically from the neighboring countries of Mali and Chad.
According to him, cattle rustlers are able to gain entrance into the country with their cattle as a result of the porous borders.
Arase spoke during an interactive session with farmers and other stakeholders in Ondo State, which was held at the Officers’ Mess in Akure, the state capital on Friday.
The IGP, who paid a courtesy visit to the state and the neighboring Ekiti State on the same day, said Nigerian herdsmen were law abiding, not notorious.
Arase said, “We should also know about the history of migration. Most of these herdsmen are not Nigerians. They are people from Mali, Chad, who came into our system. So, that is why we have to be very careful. Our borders are very porous. Predominantly our own herdsmen are law abiding people.
“But when people come from outside with their cattle, we should not deny them entry because of ECOWAS protocols, good neighborliness but, at the same time, we should not allow them to embark on criminal activities.”
During the visit, the police boss met with the state governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, and discussed the possibility of setting up cattle ranches across the country to end the incessant clashes between the herdsmen and the farmers.
“I have taken suggestions about how we can develop big ranches so that they can stop grazing on farmlands,” the IGP stated.
He also implored urged the farmers and other stakeholder to be careful and take caution in dealing with the herdsmen.
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