The Zamfara Government has directed traditional rulers across the state to always verify the identity of herdsmen entering their domains in order to guard against armed banditry.
The state Commissioner for Local Governments and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Bello Dankand, gave the directive in a statewide radio broadcast on Wednesday.
Dankande said that the directive had become necessary following the influx of the herdsmen into many communities in the state in recent weeks.
He said: “We have received reports that the number of Fulani herdsmen coming to our communities have significantly increased.
“Many of them are coming with their animals to eat up remnants from the last farming season on farmlands.
“This tradition has always helped our farmers in clearing farmlands ahead of upcoming rainy season.
“We should, however, be vigilant on the herders coming to our areas. Screen them, investigate where they are coming from and report any suspicious movement to the nearest authority for prompt action.”
The commissioner also implored the residents to report any suspicious movement to the Emir in-charge of their area, should the ward, village or district heads fail to report such suspects in time.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Governor, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari, had been engaging security agencies and other stakeholders on how to handle the activities of bandits in the state. (NAN)
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