Farmers/Herders’ Clash: Osun to begin massive enumeration, headcount of migrants, immigrants to strengthen security
…every herder to have personal ID card going forward
Abimbola Abatta, Osogbo
has announced its readiness to begin massive enumeration and headcount of migrants and immigrants in the State.
The government also disclosed that it would ensure data capturing to enhance proper profiling of the herders residing in the State as part of efforts to strengthen cordial relationship and peaceful co-existence between the Fulani/Bororo herders and Yoruba crop farmers.
The heads of Fulani-Bororo otherwise known as Serikis equally renewed their cooperation and support with the government and pledged their readiness to continue to live peacefully with the people of their respective host communities in the State.
These were made known in a meeting convened by the State Committee on Peaceful Co-existence Between Fulani/Bororo farmers and Crop Farmers held with the heads of Fulanis and Bororos at the State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in Osogbo.
Speaking, the Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Mudasiru Toogun, said the decision was necessary as part of efforts to update the statistics and data of immigrants living in the State.
He said the initiative would help to determine the population of the immigrants so as to prevent any form of security threat that may arise from unchecked influx of migrants.
Toogun added that the initiative would further help to give the government an insight into necessary infrastructural facilities to be done to support the Fulani and Bororo immigrants living in the State.
Toogun, who commended the continued peaceful coexistence between Yoruba farmers and Fulani/Bororo herders, noted that it was worthwhile that Osun didn’t experience any form of clash despite the reported clashes in some parts of the country.
In his words, “The Government has resolved to commence the enumeration and headcount for the immigrants, particularly Fulani-Bororo headers living in the State as part of efforts to fight against insecurity.
“This initiative would also help to ensure easy planning since we know their number. This step will also help us to identify the number of their cattle since all the information about each and everyone of them will be captured in the database and if anyone commits any crime, such fellow will be easily tracked and punished.
“With the support of Mr. Governor, we shall begin the exercise soon. We have engaged the service of experts to actualise this dream as this will involve the inter-ministerial support of Office of the Statistician General, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, security agencies among other stakeholders.”
In his response, the Seriki Fulani, Alhaji Ibrahim Babatunde, assured the government of total compliance with relevant rules capable of sustaining the bond of unity existing between them and Yoruba crop farmers.
He sought further support from the government, noting that his people would continue to live and relate peacefully with the people of their host communities.
