Kano Police, Miyetti Allah Meet Over Farmers-Herders Conflicts Ahead Of Harvest

The Kano State Police Command has met with the leadership of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) to strengthen measures aimed at preventing farmers-herders conflicts ahead of the harvest season.

The meeting, held on Wednesday at the Command Headquarters, Bompai, Kano, was led by the Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, and the Chairman of MACBAN in the state, Captain Abdullahi Adamu Bakoji (rtd).

The Command in a statement released by its spokesperson CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa said the meeting was part of its “proactive, intelligence-led and community-centred policing strategy” to prevent conflicts that often occur during the harvest and transhumance periods.

Bakoji described the engagement as “apt, timely and critical to sustaining peace in Kano State.”

He identified crop destruction, cattle rustling, encroachment on cattle routes and grazing reserves, night grazing, reprisal attacks and misinformation as some of the major issues that could trigger disputes between farmers and herders.

According to him, MACBAN has been working to address such challenges through sensitisation of its members, sanctioning of recalcitrant herders, engagement with traditional institutions and reporting of criminal elements within the association.

He assured the police of the association’s commitment to “peace, dialogue and obedience to the law,” while pledging continued cooperation with security agencies and other stakeholders.

Responding, CP Bakori said the Command had put security measures in place to protect lives and property as the state enters the final quarter of the year, a period expected to witness increased economic activities, harvesting, festivities and movement of people.

The commissioner said the police were prioritising conflict prevention through “early warning, intelligence gathering, and community partnership.”

He consequently directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations and the Officer-in-Charge of the State Intelligence Department to strengthen intelligence gathering across Area Commands and divisions, particularly in agrarian and frontline local government areas.

The CP also ordered sustained visibility patrols along cattle routes, grazing reserves, forests and identified flashpoints to deter criminal activities and prevent clashes.

He directed the police to maintain regular engagement with MACBAN, the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), traditional rulers, local government authorities and other stakeholders.

The commissioner further ordered the establishment of a rapid response mechanism to ensure quick intervention and mediation whenever disputes are reported.

Bakori urged herders to remain law-abiding, report suspicious persons and movements and “refrain from taking laws into their hands.”

He similarly called on farmers to avoid provocation and report grievances through lawful channels.

The commissioner reiterated that “Kano State remains a home of peace,” assuring that the Command would not allow anyone or any group to undermine the peace in the state.

The meeting ended with the Miyetti Allah leadership expressing satisfaction with the engagement and reaffirming its readiness to work with the police to maintain peace and security across Kano State.