Zamfara community lost over 10,000 cattle to rustlers in one year

Police Public Relations Officer in Zamfara State, DSP LawalAbdullahi, said between June to August this year 2,219 cows, 1,030 goats and sheep, 12 camels and 82 donkeys were recovered from the rustlers through the combined effort of the state police command and the military while 120 suspects have been arrested and charged to court.The Village […]

Police Public Relations Officer in Zamfara State, DSP LawalAbdullahi, said between June to August this year 2,219 cows, 1,030 goats and sheep, 12 camels and 82 donkeys were recovered from the rustlers through the combined effort of the state police command and the military while 120 suspects have been arrested and charged to court.
The Village Head of Yar’ Galadima in Dansadau District of Zamfara State, AlhajiAdamuAmadu, said his village and other surrounding communities lost more than 10,000 cows to thieves within one year.
Last April, Yar’ Galadima village was raided by suspected cattle rustlers who killed about 150 persons before they made away with hundreds of cows, sheep and goats belonging to the residents during the attack.
AlhajiAmadu told Daily Trust that there was peace between the farmers in the area and Fulani herders until some Fulanis migrated to the area from Mali, Niger and other countries and started fomenting trouble in the area leading to the indigenous Fulani community becoming violent.
“I had about 20 cows that I was using to farm some years back, but now as I’m talking to you I have lost all to rustlers because they came one night and made away with all the animals and this has adversely affected my farming activities because we cannot afford tractors,” he said.
The village head said nobody can afford to rear cows in the villages for fear of being attacked and the cows stolen. He observed that this has forced the villagers to stop cattle breeding for fear of rustlers, adding, “on your way here, I am sure you did not see any herd of cattle. In the past, when you are coming here you will see a lot of cows on the way. Even if you see any herd of cow now, they may belong to the rustlers because farmers cannot afford to own even a cow these days.”
The village head further explained that no individual farmer dares attempt to go to his farm alone especially if it is more than two kilometers away from the village because of fear of being attacked and dispossessed of his belongings like motor bike, cow or a bicycle. He said instead, farmers now mobilised into groups to work on farms, adding that three days ago, 30 cattle were rustled in the neighbouring village.
Head of the local vigilante group in the community, AlhajiChedeyaSani, said Yar, Galadima village had about 3,000 cows but now no single animal can be found adding that cattle rustlers are hiding in Karauchi, Madaka and GajerenKauye forests and can launch attack at will.
“If you go up to 2 kilometres inside this forest you will see them. Look at that rock, they are there behind it. Go there you will see them. And let me tell you, two-third of our farmlands have gone uncultivated this year’s farming season alone, because these men attack us the moment we go to farm and you will be forced to abandon your land at gun point. What do you think this portends to our future? Food shortage is imminent! He lamented.
When Daily Trust visited Dansadau cattle market that harboured cows in hundreds before the attacks, there were very few now for sell and investigation revealed that it is due to the rampant cases of cow theft in the area that many have abandoned cattle rearing and resorted to other businesses.
AlhajiJaririDansadau is a butcher and he told our reporter that more than 40 cows were stolen from him, adding that he has a friend who lost about 60 cows to the thieves and that he, too, has abandoned the cattle business.
“I intended to change my business but I managed to continue because I’m into it for a long time. Some years ago, if you come to this market you will be amazed at the large number of people and cows you will find. But look at how deserted the market is; you know something is wrong somewhere.
“Let me tell you, no matter how vigilant you are this rustlers will take away your cows because they use sleep inducing and other charms and cow owners would be made to be deep in slumber and you will never know when they would come and make away with the animals,” he said.  
A cattle transporter, MalamSuleHashimu, said he stopped the business of cattle transportation and took up fire wood business because they are being intercepted by the rustlers on their way to the market and dispossessed of the cows.
Reacting, the grand patron of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Zamfara State chapter, Alhaji Buda Dangaladima, described the situation as unfortunate and very worrisome saying that if care is not taken there would come a time when not even a single cow would be left not only in Zamfara but the whole northern region.
“Not just farmers alone, the indigenous Fulanis themselves are victims of such crimes because I know many nomads who cannot boast of a single cow as they have lost all to thieves and some have resorted to some other things for a living. I’m appealing to the government and all other stakeholders to come in and assist in restoring the past glory of cattle rearing in the North,” he urged.