Katsina wants cattle rustlers to embrace peace

Katsina government is reaching out to cattle rustlers in the southern part of state for a peace dialogue aimed at reducing tension and creating convivial atmosphere for farmers and other residents of the state.

The government has therefore directed Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN) to invite the rustlers for peace talks.

Mustapha Inuwa, secretary to the state government, said during a meeting with officials of the association and some representatives of cattle rustlers in Katsina, on Tuesday.

“We are calling on the Meyetti Allah to inform the cattle rustlers in Sabuwa, Faskari and Dandume local government areas to join the peace and reconciliation process in the state.

“We want complete peace in the 34 local government areas of the state. The state government is ready to discuss and dialogue with the cattle rustlers, security agents and vigilante groups so that there will be complete reconciliation.

“We don’t want a situation where certain local government areas will be left out of the peace process,” Inuwa said.

Mannir Lamido, the state chairman of MACBAN, however, wants all his members incorporated in the peace and reconciliation process.

“We want all our members to move freely in the state after the peace accord is signed. We are ready to invite all the leaders of the rustlers in Funtua zone so that farmers in the area will have rest of mind,” he said.

Abdullahi Karki, chairman of ‘repented’ cattle rustlers, said that the 25 selected peace ambassadors have been going round to educate their members on the need to embrace the peace dialogue.

“We are ready to invite our brothers in Faskari, Sabuwa and Dandume to join the peace process in the state.

“We have already briefed our brothers at the boarder of Yanhuzo and Tsafe villages in Zamfara to drop their weapons and join the dialogue process,” he said.