The Oyo State Government has said it is working towards stopping the movement of cattle within the state, in its effort to bring an end to recurring cases of cattle-rustling and farmers-herders clashes.
A statement signed by the Director, Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Rotimi Babalola, disclosed that the government assured cattle breeders and dealers in the state of adequate security in curbing incessant cattle rustling in the state.
In the statement, the Permanent Secretary (PS), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs Christianah Abioye, gave the assurance during a courtesy visit by the Association of Cattle Breeders and Dealers, Oyo State Chapter, in Ibadan.
Abioye stated that the present administration placed premium on security of lives and property, noting that the government would not condone any ugly act of miscreants in the state.
She said the state government would provide adequate security in markets and improve ranching system to enhance sanity in the cattle rearing business, disclosing that henceforth, the ministry would liaise with all stakeholders to ensure safety and avert the ugly incidence of rustling.
The PS noted that a fruitful collaboration with all stakeholders would improve the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state.
Earlier, the Chairman, Cattle Breeders and Dealers Association of Nigeria, Oyo State Chapter, Alhaji Salawu Ademola, revealed that cattle rustling in the state had been rampant, while efforts to curb it had proved abortive.
Ademola, who is the Zonal Coordinator, National Association of Cattle Breeders and Dealers, promised the Association’s cooperation with the Oyo State Government to block all loopholes in the generation of IGR.
