The Deputy Governor of Ebonyi state, Dr Kelechi Igwe has announced that the state government, led by the Governor, Engr Dave Umahi has directed all herdsmen operating in the state to carry identity cards for easy identification in the event of any crime.
Oceanicnews gathered that the directive came on Tuesday as the Deputy Governor addressed newsmen on the outcome of security meeting organized at the government house by the Governor and had members of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association Of Nigeria (MACBAN) in attendance.
Briefing newsmen, Dr Igwe said that the meeting became necessary over reports of incessant Killings of herdsmen, destruction of farms and attacks on communities by people suspected to be herdsmen.
According to him:
“The leadership of the various Local Government Areas (LGAs) should immediately liaise with MACBAN leadership to provide identity cards for herders operating in their domains.
“The various communities in the state are empowered to arrest any under-aged cattle rearers grazing around their communities and hand them over to the police for prosecution.
“The chief herder, who is the custodian of such under-aged person, must be prosecuted by the police in accordance with the law,” he said.
Affirming that herders would be held responsible and accountable and the state’s readiness to prosecute them on the destruction of farm crops by their cattle, he continued:
“Rape cases are not exempted from this as the perpetrators must be produced within seven days for arrest and prosecution.
“Community leaders, LGA chairmen, Development Centre Coordinators, among others, should take responsibility and produce those who attack herders and their cattle for prosecution within seven days.
“Herders should henceforth reside in communities where they rear their cattle and any one bearing arms on the roads in areas where infractions occur would also be prosecuted by the police,” Igwe said.