Edo to commence biometric capture of resident herders

The Edo government has announced plans to commence the biometric capture of cattle herders resident in the state, in a bid to end attacks on farming communities.

Godwin Obaseki, Edo governor, announced the plan on Friday during a parley with the national leaders of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) and heads of security agencies.

“As a member of the committee of the National Economic Council (NEC) led by vice-president, Yemi Osinbajo, to deal with the issue, I know how sensitive the issue is and how it has led to the loss of lives and property in many states across the country,” Obaseki said.

The governor said he has set up a security committee in the 18 local government councils of the state.

The committee, he said, is made up of council chairmen, two leaders of the Hausa/Fulani community, Department of State Security (DSS), divisional police officers and two native farmers.

He said: “With the structures in place, sensitisation programmes will be organised for the Hausa/Fulani herdsmen, farmers and other relevant stakeholders in different communities across the state.

“Through these, we hope to reduce the incidents of clashes between herders and farmers.”

Obaseki said the ban on night-grazing still stands and approved a 40-day window request by the group to allow strangers in their midst to register with the state government.