Following a surety and reconciliation meeting that was held on Thursday, August 1, 2019, in Katsina, North-west governors have issued a cease-fire between security groups and herdsmen in their states.
The governor of Katsina State, Aminu Masari, who conveyed the decision to the public, explained that bandits in the states concerned have been granted amnesty in a bid to ensure peace. Hence, Vigilante groups, Volunteer security groups, should no longer attack herders.
The decision which was penned down in a publication, reads, “As from today, no vigilante group member or volunteers should attack or kill any herdsman, as sacrifice must be made by both sides to ensure peace reign. Herdsmen and their families should be allowed to go about their normal businesses, attend markets and worship places without molestation provided they don’t carry arms.
“Those bandits who rustled animals from communities should immediately return them to the government or Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association. Bandits should surrender their weapons and immediately release all those kidnapped and now under their custody. We are happy that we have seen some releases of kidnapped victims from Zamfara and other states.”
Also speaking on the ways to ensure peaceful coexistence of herdsmen in his State, Bello Matawalle, the governor of Zamfara State, explained, “We are concerned that herders are always roaming around with their animals thereby exposing themselves to different kinds of hazards. The governors took a uniform measure, you should also take a uniform decision not to rustle animals, kidnap or kill anyone. You should immediately release all people in your custody in order to show the world that you have truly repented.”
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