The Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, has ordered security operatives in the state to treat any roaming herder found with arms as a criminal.
He, however, ordered for a fresh headcount of herdsmen operating in the state.
The governor gave the order during a one-day stakeholders’ security summit held at the Prof Dora Akunyili Women Development Centre, Awka on Tuesday.
Obiano said there was such headcount last year, maintained that after the new census, that would commence any moment soon, police and other security agencies should treat any armed roaming herdsmen as criminals.
”You should treat any itinerant herdsmen as criminals. Security reports show that it’s these itinerant headers that commit all manner of crimes to have their way through.
“They are the people that kill, kidnap, rape and harass the people with impunity. Those of them carrying any type of firearms should be treated as armed robbers.
“We have a census of the number of herdsmen resident in Anambra state and by the last census in January last year they were 77. ”
I have directed our new Commissioner of Police to carry out another census and after the census we will not allow herdsmen into Anambra state or passing through the state*, he said.
Obiano further said, “they are those that carry AK-47 and any herdsman that carry AK-47 is an armed robber. He urged traditional rulers to always hold meetings with herders operating in their areas.
“I understand that there are some traditional rulers who have not been holding the periodic Cattle Menace committee meetings which is headed by the Police Commissioner and such meetings are also to be held in the local government areas.
“Any traditional ruler that fails to hold the meeting would have his certificate withdrawn from him because non conduct of these meetings is against the law establishing the committee”, he said.
Obiano who said the security and welfare of the people had remained top priorities for his government for seven years, said within the period under review he had bought over 500 vehicles to the police and had fuel all duty police vehicles for the period.
He urged the stakeholders, including security agencies, community leaders, vigilantes, youths to strive to keep the state’s record as one of the safest states in the country, while vouching his government’s continued support in that respect.
The Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, expressed dissatisfaction with the activities of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra.
Adamu who was represented by Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Finance and Administration, Joseph Egbunike said state governments and community leaders must help check the activities of IPOB.
He accused IPOB of fomenting trouble in the South-East, including attacking and burning police stations.
