Bago directs arrest of farmers cultivating cattle routes, hate preachers

Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has warned farmers against cultivating crops along government road corridors, saying the areas are designated cattle routes and directing authorities to arrest anyone who violates the directive.

Speaking in Hausa in a viral video, the governor said farming should not be carried out between government roads and electricity power poles because the corridor is reserved for the movement of livestock.

“Between the main government road and the power poles, if any farmer plants crops there, you should allow the animals to eat the crops and arrest the farmer because that corridor serves as a cattle route,” Bago said.

The governor also cautioned vigilante groups against taking the law into their own hands, urging them to operate within the confines of the law.

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He further directed traditional rulers to monitor religious preaching in their communities, warning that anyone using sermons to incite division among Muslims or between Muslims and Christians should be arrested and prosecuted.

“Even if they come to the Jum’at mosque to preach, arrest them. Whoever preaches to divide Muslims, or to divide Muslims and Christians, should be arrested, and we will take them to prison,” he said.

Addressing Fulani leaders, Governor Bago urged them to prevail on those involved in criminal activities to abandon violence and return home, stressing that insecurity has continued to fuel suspicion and resentment against innocent members of the community.

“My relatives, I will not be afraid to tell you the truth. Whenever someone is kidnapped in the bush and later released, they often say it was Fulanis who kidnapped them,” he said.

He called on Fulani community leaders to encourage those involved in criminal activities to lay down their arms and embrace peaceful coexistence.

“So, you should warn your children who are in the bush to return so that we can live peacefully. There is no way people can be kidnapped and made to pay ransom without expecting them to be angry with you,” the governor stated.

Bago added that many people have become frustrated by the persistent insecurity, noting that while the vast majority of Fulani are law-abiding citizens, criminal elements have continued to tarnish the image of the community.

“People are angry with Fulanis. No one is stopping you from grazing, going to school or living peacefully, yet you know your children are doing bad things to people. Even if they are not caught, you will eventually face the consequences,” he said.

The governor also expressed concern that some community members allegedly fail to report the presence of armed men, including those arriving from neighbouring Zamfara State, urging community leaders to stop shielding criminals and instead cooperate with security agencies to restore lasting peace across the state.