attle herders have been banned from bearing arms in public places, places of worship and markets.
The 11 governors of North West Nigeria, in conjunction with the police high command, represented by the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Mr. Mohammed Adamu, ordered the ban, Thursday, after a collaborative security meeting in Katsina.
In the same vein, volunteer vigilance groups, otherwise known as Yansakai, have been banned in all the states that make up the North West. In addition, the groups were also ordered to surrender all weapons in their possession.
The bans were part of the four-point resolutions announced at the end of the four and a half hours meeting.
Governor of Katsina State, Alhaji Aminu Masari, who read the communique after the meeting, said efforts would also be made to ensure that herdsmen have access to improved cattle species.
“Herdsmen and their families should be allowed to attend markets and worship places, as well as their day-to-day activities, provided that they don’t carry arms into the public places,” Masari said.
“That herdsmen should conduct themselves and live peacefully with one another.
“That those who stole animals should return them through government or the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association.
“That the repentant bandits, including the Yansakai, should surrender all arms and ammunition in their possession to the authorities and release people that are in their captivity.”
Governor Masari also announced that secretaries to the governments of the 11 states that attended the meeting had been directed to stay behind and perfect the resolutions.