Date: 2017-04-10

Three farmers whose identities are yet to be ascertained, have been arrested by the police for allegedly killing cows belonging to a member of the Miyetti Allah cattle rearers in Kwara State.

National Pilot gathered that the policemen who effected the arrest were from the police headquarters in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.

Speaking on the development, a prominent farmer in the state and a traditional titleholder in Ilorin, Alhaji Oba Ajara, said the farmers were arrested on Wednesday and taken away to Abuja.

"The owner of the cows had earlier reported the case to our association, which comprise of farmers, butchers, the Miyetti Allah group and the Fulani Jamnatulfube group, and the issue was resolved amicably."

"We were therefore surprised when some police officers from the force headquarters in Abuja came to arrest the three farmers for allegedly killing the cows," he said.

He decried the incessant arrest of farmers by the 'police from Abuja,' adding that there had been similar arrest in the past.

Ajara, however, advised the Kwara State government to put in place a committee towards putting an end to crises between farmers and Fulani herdsmen across the 16 local government areas of the state.

"We have task force in place in our association and it is always on the alert to manage and control crises among members."

He suggested that the state government should invite the leadership of the farmers, the Miyetti Allah Fulani group, the butchers association and the Jamnatulfube Cattle rearer association for dialogue.

He noted that "The problem of food insecurity experienced in 2016 was as a result of the incessant crises between the farmers and the Fulani Herdsmen in different areas of the state".

Ajara, while appealing to the Miyetti Allah Fulani cattle rearers to allow peace to reign, said no meaningful development can be achieved in an environment where there is breakdown of law and order.

When contacted, the state Public Police Relations Officer, DSP, Ajayi Okasanmi on telephone, said he had no knowledge of the arrest. "I am not aware of such incident and no report related to that case has been tabled before me.