The Fulani community in Kwara State has raised concerns over persistent cattle rustling, warning that the crime is placing the livelihoods and survival of pastoral families at risk.
The Ardo of the Fulani community in the state, Alhaji Adamu Mahmud-Ojonla, spoke about the situation during a news conference held on Friday in Ilorin.
Mahmud-Ojonla described livestock theft as one of the most serious security problems currently affecting herders across Kwara.
He said cattle remained the principal source of income, food and financial security for many Fulani households.
According to the community leader, the loss of livestock had left several affected families without a reliable means of supporting themselves.
Mahmud-Ojonla commended security agencies for their response to the attacks and efforts to recover stolen animals.
He estimated that about 30 per cent of cattle taken by suspected bandits had been retrieved through coordinated security operations.
Owners of the recovered livestock were being invited to identify their animals through recognised identification procedures before their return, he said.
The Ardo alleged that criminal groups had begun directly targeting herders grazing cattle in remote areas.
According to him, some attackers assault or kill the herders before taking their livestock away.
He claimed that the shift towards cattle rustling may be linked to the longer period required by kidnappers to obtain ransom payments.
Mahmud-Ojonla said the emerging pattern had increased the danger faced by herders working in forests and isolated grazing areas.
He warned that the attacks were undermining the economic stability of pastoral communities and pushing some families into severe hardship.
The Fulani leader praised Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the Emir of Ilorin and security personnel for their efforts to address insecurity and recover stolen cattle.
He also called on the state government to revive and expand nomadic education programmes for children in pastoral communities.
Mahmud-Ojonla said improved access to education was essential to the long-term welfare and development of Fulani families.
He requested the establishment of additional nomadic schools, the deployment of qualified teachers and stronger supervision of the education programme.
According to him, interest in formal education is growing among members of the Fulani community.
He urged the government to sustain programmes capable of improving livelihoods, reducing insecurity and encouraging peaceful coexistence among communities.
The Secretary to the Ardo of Fulani, Malam Ibrahim Dende, also disclosed that several of the stolen animals were recovered from neighbouring Kogi and Niger states.
Dende, speaking on behalf of herders whose cattle had been recovered, thanked the government and security agencies for their intervention.
He also commended the Chairman of Ifelodun Local Government Area, Alhaji Femi Yusuf, for supporting efforts to locate and return the livestock.
