The Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, has urged members of the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore Fulani Socio-Cultural Association to end night grazing and open grazing within Abuja city centre in the interest of public safety.

Sanusi made the call when he received a delegation of the association’s FCT Chapter, led by its North-Central Zonal Chairman, Alhaji Gidado Idris Bebeji, on a courtesy visit to the FCT Police Command Headquarters in Garki, Abuja.
According to a statement issued by the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, the delegation raised concerns over challenges facing its members in the FCT, including clashes with farmers, conflicts with local vigilante groups, attacks by kidnappers and cattle rustlers, attacks on herders, alleged poisoning of cattle by farmers, and the gradual encroachment on traditional grazing routes by farms, housing estates and other developments.

The association said the shrinking grazing corridors have contributed to increasing tensions between herders, farmers and host communities.

Responding, the Commissioner of Police acknowledged the concerns and assured the delegation that issues within the mandate of the FCT Police Command would be addressed promptly and in accordance with the law.

He noted, however, that some of the issues raised fall outside the command’s jurisdiction and pledged to forward them to the appropriate authorities for necessary action.

Sanusi also said the command would engage farmers, community leaders and other stakeholders to resolve areas of disagreement and promote peaceful coexistence among herders, farmers and residents.

The police commissioner expressed concern over the use of underage children for cattle grazing, as well as the practice of night grazing and grazing within towns and the city centre.

He warned against grazing cattle along major roads and in urban areas, noting that such practices pose risks to motorists, pedestrians, herders and the livestock.

He advised herders to restrict grazing activities to designated areas on the outskirts of the city and avoid farmlands to prevent the destruction of crops and disputes with farmers.

Sanusi also cautioned members of the association against taking the law into their own hands whenever disputes arise.

He urged them not to harbour criminals and encouraged them to report suspicious persons, unusual movements and criminal activities within their communities to the police.

According to him, anyone found shielding criminal elements could be treated as an accomplice under the law.
The Commissioner further called on the association to strengthen its collaboration with the police and other security agencies to improve security across the Federal Capital Territory.

In response, the leaders of the association thanked the police commissioner for granting them audience and pledged to work closely with the command to promote peace, security and harmonious coexistence in the FCT.