Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa has declared that the state does not have land for cattle colonies

The Governor made this declarationon Tuesdayin Asaba while addressing stakeholders at a meeting involving herdsmen, farmers, community leaders and heads of security agencies.

He decried what he described as the inability of the Federal Government to disarm armed herdsmen who perpetuate crimes and other vices.

Okowa called on the Federal Government to come up with a clear cut policy direction on this issue.

As part of interim measures to address the perennial clash amongst herdsmen, farmers and host communities, the Governor tasked Chairmen of local government councils to set up special task force on security, which should include all interest groups. He gave the Chairmenone week to do that.

The Governor expressed concern that often the cows are being led by a minor.

“Some of those who are also looking after the cows are so young that most times they are not able to take decisions concerning the cows. As long as they carry arms and ammunitions, there is a major security issues at stake,” he said.

He used the occasion to buttress the fact that the state has no land for the Federal Government’s proposed cattle colonies, disclosing that most people of the state were moving to neighbouring Edo State to farm because of inadequate land in the state.

“In the next one week, we need to have an interventionist committee on security in all the Local Government aAeas of the state, while we await a definite policy direction from the Federal Government. Chairmen of the Local Government Areas must ensure that names of members of the committee gets to the office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), who is the Chairman of the Central Coordinating Committee and ensure that minutes of their inaugural meetings are also sent to the SSG,” the Governor said.

He noted that it was wrong for anybody to hide under the guise of herdsmen to perpetuate crime in the state.

Okowa emphasised: “The Nigerian Constitution does not allow anyone to graze on somebody’s else farm. It does not permit you to forcefully take over someone’s house. We can co-exist as a people but, as we co-exist, there must be mutual respect for one another. Whoever you are, when you engage in crime, the law takes its course.”

While calling for caution and peaceful co-existence among the people of the state, Okowa urged the Police and security agencies not to be compromised in ensuring justice for all, asserting that they should not allow the communities to lose confidence in their abilities to check crimes, especially those committed by herdsmen.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Muhammada Alhaji Mustapha assured Deltans that their security would not be compromised by the Police in ensuring peaceful co-existence in the state.

Those who spoke at the meeting, including traditional rulers, farmers, representatives of Myetti Allah and Housa/Fulani community, commended Okowa for ensuring that the situation did not snowball into a major crisis despite issues of killings, rape of women and armed robberies, among other vices.

Participants called on the state government to take actions towards the stoppage of grazing in the state, noting that the people could survive without beef and its by-products, while others stated that efforts should be geared towards peaceful co-existence in the state.

•Photo showsfrom right; Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa; his Deputy, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro; Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Peter Mrakpo; Chief of Staff, Government House, Rt. Hon. Tam Brisibe; and Commissioner for Information, Mr. Patrick Ukah, during the stakeholders meeting on Peaceful Coexistence Amongst Farmers, Herdsmen and Host Communities in Delta State.