The Commissioner of Police, Kano State Police Command, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, has engaged Fulani Harders and Farmers in a strategic moves to avoid conflicts between the two groups.
The Commissioner, met with leadership of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Kano State Chapter, led by its Chairman, Captain Abdullahi Adamu Bakoji (Rtd), in a strategic security meeting held at the Conference Hall, Command Headquarters, Bompai, Kano, Wednesday.
The Command PPRO, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, said in a released that the meeting was convened as part of the proactive, intelligence-led and community-centred policing strategy of the Command, aimed at preemptive and proactively addressing seasonal farmers/herders conflicts that usually arise during harvest and transhumance periods.
In his remarks, the Chairman of Miyetti Allah, Kano State Chapter, Captain Abdullahi Adamu Bakoji (Rtd), appreciated and thanked the Commissioner of Police for the timely invitation and for his foresight in calling the meeting.
He described the engagement as apt, timely and critical to sustaining peace in Kano State.
Captain Bakoji outlined various security issues and challenges associated with farmers and herders interactions, including crop destruction, cattle rustling, encroachment on cattle routes and grazing reserves, night grazing, reprisal attacks, and misinformation that often escalates minor disputes.
He stated that the leadership of Miyetti Allah in Kano State has been making concerted efforts to ensure peace and security through internal sensitization of its members, identification and sanctioning of recalcitrant herders, collaboration with traditional institutions, and prompt reporting of criminal elements within their fold.
He assured the Commissioner of Police of the Association’s commitment to peace, dialogue and obedience to the law, and pledged to continue to work with the Police and other stakeholders to maintain harmony between farmers and herders in the State.
In his response, the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, thanked the Miyetti Allah entourage for honouring the invitation and for their show of commitment to peace. He commended the leadership for its maturity, cooperation and continuous engagement with security agencies.
The CP briefed the delegation on the comprehensive security arrangements put in place by the Command to ensure effective protection of lives and property in Kano State ahead of the last quarter of the year, which is often characterized by increased socio-economic activities, harvest season, festivities and heightened movements.
He emphasized that the Kano State Police Command, in line with the policing vision of the *Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc(+), NPM,* is prioritizing conflict prevention over conflict response through early warning, intelligence gathering, and community partnership.
To this end, the Commissioner of Police directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Department of Operations, and the Officer-in-Charge of the State Intelligence Department (SID) to immediately lead coordinated actions in the Intelligence Gathering and Early Warning:
” To strengthen the intelligence network across all Area Commands and Divisions, especially in frontline and agrarian Local Government Areas, to detect early signs of conflict.
“Round-the-Clock Visibility Patrols: To sustain aggressive visibility patrols, confidence-building patrols, and deployment along cattle routes, grazing reserves, forests, and flashpoints to deter crime and prevent clashes.
Additionally to Sustained Stakeholder Engagement, to maintain continuous dialogue with the leadership of Miyetti Allah, All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), traditional rulers, local government authorities and other stakeholders to promote mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence.
Another area is Rapid Response Mechanism, to ensure quick intervention and mediation in any reported case of dispute to prevent escalation and breakdown of law and order.
The CP further assured the leadership of Miyetti Allah of the Command’s support and cooperation in ensuring a serene, peaceful and secure living environment in Kano State. He urged the herders to continue to be law-abiding, to report any suspicious persons or movements, and to refrain from taking laws into their hands. He equally called on farmers to avoid provocation and to report grievances through lawful channels.
He reiterated that Kano State remains a home of peace, and the Police Command will not allow any individual or group to truncate the prevailing peace being enjoyed by the peace-loving people of the State.
The leadership of Miyetti Allah expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the meeting and reaffirmed their readiness to cooperate fully with the Police in maintaining peace and security.
The meeting ended in a cordial atmosphere with a renewed commitment to peace, unity and partnership for a safer Kano State.