The Federal Government has announced plans to fast-track the implementation of its National Ranching Programme in Kwara State following recent deadly attacks in parts of the state.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the presidency quoted the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Muktar Maiha, as saying the intervention would focus on ranching and structured livestock management as a long-term solution to insecurity linked to pastoral activities.
According to the minister, the programme will prioritise ranch establishment, livestock enumeration, digital tagging, and the creation of structured settlements aimed at promoting sedentarisation and improving accountability within the livestock sector.
Maiha explained that the initiative is designed to enhance traceability, strengthen disease control, improve intelligence gathering for law enforcement, and address the root causes of recurring rural violence. He added that proper livestock enumeration and digital identification would enable authorities to better monitor animal movements, curb criminal infiltration, and boost coordination among security agencies.
The accelerated rollout in Kwara, he noted, was prompted by recent attacks in affected communities, with the government expressing confidence that structured ranching would help stabilise rural areas and prevent further violence.
Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, welcomed the federal intervention and pledged full cooperation to ensure the programme’s success. He said the state government would work closely with federal authorities to integrate local councils into the initiative, promote community participation, and ensure swift implementation.
The governor stressed the need for collective efforts to restore peace and strengthen rural economies, noting that the partnership would improve both security and socio-economic development in the state.
The Federal Government also highlighted the economic benefits of structured ranching, saying the strategy would stabilise rural communities, boost food security, enhance livestock productivity, improve market integration, and create wider economic opportunities. Officials added that the initiative aligns with broader national goals to modernise the livestock sector, promote sustainable agricultural practices, and reduce farmer-herder conflicts across the country.
Meanwhile, SaharaReporters earlier reported that suspected Boko Haram terrorists, formally known as Jama’atu Ahlissunnah Lidda’awati wal-Jihad, released a video showing 176 abducted victims allegedly taken from Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State.
The footage reportedly shows women and children, including a nursing mother, who said they were kidnapped from Woro. In the video, one of the armed men was seen interrogating the captives, while accusing the Kwara State Government of downplaying the scale of the abductions.
Earlier this month, scores of residents were reportedly killed in a coordinated attack on Woro community. Among the victims were family members of the Emir of Woro, local religious leaders, school officials, and students. Reports indicate the attackers are believed to be linked to a faction of Boko Haram operating across the Sahel region.
