From Our Correspondent in Ibadan
The Oyo State Government says it is necessary moves to tackle persistent cattle-rustling and farmers/herders clashes in parts of the state.
Rotimi Babalola, Director of Press, Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism announced this in a statement, in Ibadan on Friday.
The statement quoted the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs Christianah Abioye, as giving the assurance when the Association of Cattle Breeders and Dealers, Oyo State Chapter, visited her office.
“The government is working toward stopping the movement of cattle within the state,” the statement quoted Abioye as saying.
She assured cattle breeders and dealers of adequate security in curbing incessant cattle rustling.
“The present administration, under the leadership of Gov. Seyi Makinde, places a premium on security of lives and property.
“So, the government will not condone any ugly act of miscreants in the state,” she said.
The PS added that the government would provide adequate security in markets and improve the ranching system to enhance sanity in cattle rearing business.
She maintained that, henceforth, the ministry would liaise with stakeholders to ensure safety and avert the ugly incidence of rustling.
Abisoye opined that a fruitful collaboration with stakeholders would also improve the internally generated revenue (IGR) of the state.
Earlier, the state chairman of the association, Alhaji Salawu Ademola, said cattle rustling had become rampant in many areas.
According to him the association is also making effort to curb the menace but that it needed government intervention.
Ademola promised the association’s readiness to cooperate with the state government to block all loopholes in the collection of IGR.
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