Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago of Niger State has raised serious concerns over the increasing infiltration of cattle rustlers into the state, warning that the situation threatens the peace and security of rural communities.
Speaking during a stakeholders’ consultative meeting in Minna on the implementation of the new Trade Animal Movement Security and Veterinary Inspection Permit system, Governor Bago blamed the surge in cattle rustling on peace agreements entered into by some northern governors with bandits. According to him, these arrangements have emboldened criminal elements and led to their migration into relatively peaceful states like Niger.
“These so-called peace deals are only pushing the problem from one place to another,” Bago said. “We in Niger State will not tolerate lawlessness.”
To combat the threat, the state is rolling out stringent measures backed by the Animal Disease Control Act of 2022 (Sections 18 and 19), which regulates livestock movement, enforces veterinary standards, and enhances public health and security.
Governor Bago outlined several key directives:
Ban on bush-slaughtered meat: Only meat processed in certified abattoirs will be permitted for sale.
Mandatory livestock vaccination: All animals entering the state must undergo proper veterinary screening.
Farm and grazing regulations: Cultivation on highway right-of-ways is now prohibited, and herders who allow their cattle to destroy farmlands will be held accountable.
In a major policy move, Bago also announced that 120,000 hectares of land have been allocated for grazing reserves. The state is working in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and other development partners to plant pastures and equip the reserves with basic infrastructure and amenities.
“We are taking a holistic approach balancing security, agriculture, and economic development,” the governor added.
The new system is expected to not only curb cattle rustling but also boost livestock health, food safety, and market regulation across Niger State.