Governors of North Western states on Thursday granted amnesty to cattle rustlers and arm bandits have been granted amnesty as part of measures to restore peace in the zone.
Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State made the disclosure in a communique read at the end of a one-day security and reconciliation meeting with security agents, vigilante and volunteer groups, herdsmen and farmers in Katsina.
“As from today, no vigilante group member or volunteers should attack or kill any herdsman, as sacrifice must be made by both sides to ensure peace reign.
“Herdsmen and their families should be allowed to go about their normal businesses, attend markets and worship places without molestation provided they don’t carry arms”.
The governor also said the states would intensify efforts to provide necessities that would make nomadic life meaningful like hospitals, schools, grazing reserves among others.
Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State who also spoke to journalists said that the states would provide grazing reserve for the herders for them to settle in one place in the zone.
Matawalle said, “We are concerned that herders are always roaming around with their animals thereby exposing themselves to different kinds of hazards.
(NAN)