Farmer Umaru Bago Decries Infiltration Of Cattle Rustlers into Niger 

Niger State Governor, farmer Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, has decried the infiltration of cattle rustlers into the state to rustle cattle to other states.

The farmer governor stated this during a stakeholders consultative meeting on the implementation of the State Trade Animal Movement Security and Veterinary Inspection Permit held in Minna.

He observed that negotiations with bandits in some states have given rise to castle rustling, stressing that it is unacceptable and that he will seek the intervention of the President and the National Security Adviser on the issue.

Speaking on the issue of people bringing in slaughtered meat from the bush to sell, the farmer governor said necessary measures will be put in place through relevant authorities to ensure only meats slaughtered in recognised abbatoirs are being sold in the markets and that livestock coming into the state must be vaccinated.

He also directed that no farmer should farm on the right of way that is side by side with the highway, and warned herders not to allow their animals to graze on people’s farms, pointing out that anyone found wanting will be dealt with.

The farmer governor said the Animal Disease Control Act of 2022, Sections 18 and 19, have empowered the state through the Department of Animal Health and Veterinary Services to issue permits for the transportation of animals, poultry, and animal products, saying it is a practical tool to safeguard public health, improve market systems, and protect livelihoods.

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He said the introduction of the Trade Animal Movement Security and Veterinary Inspection Permit systems is not to frustrate livestock operators but to secure the trade corridors, track animal health status, and strengthen veterinary compliance across markets, farms, and borders.

The farmer governor disclosed that the state has 120,000 hectares of land for grazing reserves across the state, and it is working with the federal ministries of livestock and agriculture as well as development partners to bring in seeds for grasses to plant pastures for livestock to graze within the reserves and that basic amenities would be provided.

Commissioner for Nomadic and Pastoral Affairs, Umar Sanda Rabe, described the consultative meeting as developmental and will ensure the well-being of animals, secure them, and provide room for improvement of the livestock industry while also lamenting the lack of examination of animals for any possible disease before being slaughtered, saying the checking of animals before they are slaughtered will curb the spread of diseases.

The President, National Association of Cattle Dealers, Processors, and Marketers of Nigeria, Alh. Ilyasu Bulama commended the tremendous efforts of the farmer governor in developing the livestock industry but stressed that the growing menace of cattle rustling has been largely affecting the cattle business

He said that the association had met with several traditional institutions and security agencies in that regard and expressed confidence that the implementation of the state trade animal movement permit by the state government would tackle the challenges.

Chairman, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, Niger State Chapter, Umar Abubakar Lapai, said the idea of implementing the veterinary inspection permit will go a long way in ensuring healthy meat consumption, while the establishment of cattle ranches will help in addressing farmer-herder clashes.

In their separate remarks, representatives of the Butchers Association of Niger State, Shehu Sarkin Pawa, representatives of cattle breeders, Sadiq Abubakar, and Hussaini Bosso, who spoke on behalf of all Fulani heads across the state, expressed confidence in the efforts of the farmer governor in bringing an end to the farmer herder crises.