Asaba. In a bid to address the escalating clashes between farmers and herders, the Delta State Government has announced plans to register herdsmen and cattle owners operating across the state.
The initiative was disclosed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Livestock and Inter-Ethnic Relations, Chief Jeffrey Azagba, during a strategic meeting with the Delta State chapter of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN).
It is deeply concerning that armed herdsmen have been linked to violent attacks in some communities, Azagba said. Profiling and registering them will enable us to identify criminal elements and restore peace in affected areas.
Azagba emphasized that the administration of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori is committed to eliminating threats to peace and promoting agricultural growth in the state.
“Delta is an agrarian state,” he noted. “We cannot allow insecurity to derail food production. Those involved in criminal activities must either leave or be ready to face the law.”
He called on Miyetti Allah leaders to submit an accurate and comprehensive list of their members to aid the profiling process.
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In response, the State Secretary of MACBAN, Mustapha Suleiman, commended the state government for the initiative and pledged the cooperation of the herder community.
“We appreciate the government’s constructive approach. We are ready to collaborate to ensure peaceful coexistence and security,” Suleiman said.
This development follows a series of recent attacks blamed on suspected herdsmen, including the killing of two individuals in a Delta community.
The move also aligns with broader efforts by the Oborevwori administration to boost food security, as seen in the recent disbursement of N1 billion under the AUDA-NEPAD FADAMA initiative to over 6,000 farmers.
Delta Speaker Emomotimi Guwor and Deputy Governor Sir Monday Onyeme have both reiterated the government’s commitment to safeguarding lives and ensuring sustainable agricultural development across the state.
