Lawmaker Suggests Registration of Herdsmen to Tackle Banditry

By Ahmed Rahma

In order to put an end to banditry and also separate genuine businessmen from criminals in the forest, a federal lawmaker from Ondo State, Nicholas Tofowomo, has advised the state government to consider registering herdsmen.

The country has not had it good security-wise lately because of activities of some hoodlums believed to be herdsmen. They have been accused of kidnapping travellers and residents of some places for ransom.

The issue was first concentrated in the northern part of the country but it has found its way to the south, causing many Nigerians to panic, especially because of the inactions of the federal government.

Last week, the Governor of Ondo State, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, gave herdsmen in the forest reserves in the state to vacate within seven days.

This raised an uproar, with the presidency challenging the Governor that he has no such powers to give quit notice to anyone because citizens of the country were free to live and earn a living anywhere.

While commenting on the issue, Mr Tofowomo, a lawmaker representing Ondo South Senatorial District at the National Assembly, suggested to the state government to look into registering herdsmen to differentiate the criminals from the genuine herders.

In a statement signed by his media aide, Olumide Akinrinlola, the lawmaker said it might be wrong to tag all herdsmen as criminals.

“Tthe State House of Assembly should package a law to put an end to banditry and kidnapping being orchestrated by the bad eggs among whom are hiding under the guise of herdsmen,” he submitted.

“I urge him (the Governor) to take a step further to make it a law to ensure the registration of herdsmen and farmers who are into genuine businesses.

“With the law, criminals will be separated from those doing genuine businesses in Ondo State,” he added.

In the statement, the Senator congratulated Mr Akeredolu for the steps taken to tackle criminal acts in the state and declared his support for the Governor’s quit notice directive.

“I congratulate Akeredolu for taking a bold step against criminal activities in the state and I join my voice with all the positive and good people in support of the decision. [I declare] my total support for the decision,” he said.