Niger State Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello, has revealed a plan that would protect Fulani herders’ interests by capturing them in the 2023 budget to provide necessary facilities aimed at boosting “their activities.”
During a meeting with critical stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kontagora, Bello said, “It is necessary to allow herders to have a sense of belonging as citizens in the state.”
He added that herders, like other citizens, deserved fair treatment devoid of discrimination to enable them to freely go about their activities.
The governor said adequate measures had been taken to arrest the security challenges in the state, saying the strategies being adopted would not be disclosed due to the activities of informants in the communities.
In addition, he appealed to the federal government to rehabilitate the dilapidated Minna-Kontagora federal road to ease motorists’ movement and boost economic activity in the area.
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The farmers-herders crisis which started in Kaduna State has spread to neighbouring Niger, with increased infiltration of criminal elements wreaking havoc on unsuspecting residents, especially in Shiroro, Rafi-Kagara and Munya Local Governmet Areas of Niger State.
Both the Niger State government and its citizens affected by the wanton banditry seemed to be overwhelmed by the situation as they have adopted many strategies to ensure peace is restored. Despite that, the carnage continued unchecked.
