Usman Nagogo, the police commissioner in Zamfara State has given a two-week ultimatum to leaders of Miyetti Allah cattle breeders to end banditry activities in the state.
Nagogo, who was speaking to leaders of the group during a reconciliation meeting in Guau, lamented that Zamfara has had enough of banditry activities, calling on the Fulani bandits to embrace peace and surrender their weapons.
He blamed the Fulani leaders for all atrocities being committed by the bandits, whom he said have failed to call their subjects to order.
The Commissioner maintained that the volunteer groups have since surrendered more than 9000 weapons in a bid to embrace peace, lamenting that, the Fulani cattle rearers were yet to do so.
On his part, the Sarkin Fulani Zamfara, (leader of the Fulani), Alhaji Ahmed Mutawalle said, “Fulani are peace loving people”.
The Sarkin Fulani said Fulani herdsmen were subjected to all forms of intimidations and harassment by farmers who have continued to encroach and cultivate grazing lands and cattle routes meant for cattlemen.
He complained that the refusal of the farmers to vacate grazing lands was one of the factors that contributed to the current insecurity problems, stressing that, “This was the beginning of farmers-Fulani clash which led to reprisal attacks and finally metamorphosed into armed banditry”.
According to him, the best way to tame the security challenge is for the state government to compel farmers to move out of grazing lands and allow herders to move freely with their cattle in the grazing areas.
He also dissolved the leaders of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association and banned the association’s activities until further notice.