The Bauchi State Police Command has urgently recommended that farmers swiftly harvest their crops to enable herders to graze peacefully, thereby preventing violent conflicts between farmers and herders.
This guidance was issued through a statement from the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Ahmed Wakili, which was provided to journalists on an early Saturday morning.
SP Ahmed Wakili, the PPRO, emphasized that the Command has identified potential security threats for the Ember-months season, including conflicts between herders and farmers, communal clashes, armed robbery, kidnapping, road traffic accidents, theft of farm produce, mischievous activities, and youth restiveness (thuggery).
Hence, the Command has informed the public about proactive security measures that everyone must familiarize themselves with and follow to improve overall safety and security within the state.
According to the Command PPRO, “to avoid herders-farmers and communal clashes, the Command called on the respective organs to refrain from acts of mischief or any acts that could lead to the breakdown of law and order and Public peace.”
He added that, “However, farmers are advised to evacuate their farm produce in good time before herders start grazing freely and it degenerates into the aforementioned.”
“Also, all herders are unequivocally warned to desist from trespassing into farmer’s crops before they harvest them,” he added.
Regarding armed robbery, he pointed out that this crime tends to increase during the Ember months. Therefore, the Command’s crime analysis has recommended that travelers avoid nighttime journeys or traveling during the early hours of the day.
They are also urged to seek the nearest suitable places to rest and continue their journeys when daylight emerges to ensure their safety.
Additionally, he highlighted that the issue of kidnapping and abduction was prevalent during the Ember months of 2022. Consequently, in 2023, the Command has devised a strategic plan to identify kidnapper hideouts and implement advanced security techniques and more sophisticated approaches to bolster the operational capabilities for combating these crimes and others in the State.
Concerning night-time traveling and speeding, he emphasized that the Command strongly advises all travelers, especially drivers, to refrain from excessive speeding, particularly during the early hours of the morning. This precaution is essential to prevent avoidable road accidents, which can lead to loss of lives, injuries, and property damage.
In addressing theft of farm produce and mischievous activities, the Command recommended that farmers become familiar with their farm surroundings and their neighbors. They should exercise vigilance over their crops and harvest them promptly to prevent theft, unauthorized grazing by herders, or damage from nighttime fires.
Regarding youth restiveness and thuggery, commonly referred to as “Yan-Sara-Suka,” citizens are encouraged to remain vigilant about their possessions in all situations and avoid idleness. They are also urged to counsel the youths in their communities to refrain from engaging in unruly behavior that could disrupt the peace and harmony of the State.
Commissioner of Police, CP Auwal Musa Muhammad, reaffirmed the Command’s unwavering dedication and continuous endeavors to establish a crime-free society within our cherished state.
In line with this commitment, CP Muhammad stresses the vital importance of community involvement in crime prevention, management, and control, highlighting that it plays a pivotal role in achieving the overarching objectives, including the primary mandate of safeguarding lives and property, among other responsibilities.
“On this note, the proactive measures came up following a Credible Intelligence and analysis of security threats identified by the Command”, he concluded.
