Fulani Herdsmen adopt new tactics

Kpando, (V/R), April 19, GNA- Some Fulani herdsmen seemed to be getting wiser in the way they move their cattle around, a Police source told Newsmen at Kpando on Monday. The source which pleaded anonymity said the change of attitude might be due largely to threats from communities and the realisation that they needed to co-operate with the law enforcement agencies as a condition for their own safety.

He said a group of about five herdsmen who were herding their herds of cattle through the Kpando area around the Easter period had sought the help of the Police for safe conduct through the district. The source said the Police spotted the group in the Kpando-Fesi area following an announcement on a radio station that about 100 stolen cattle were in the Kpando district. He said upon request, the group showed veterinary certificates and other documents covering their cattle to the Police and were granted bail to stay around for some time in case somebody should show up to identify any of the cattle.

According to the Police source, so far, one person from Tema who claimed to have lost about 30 cows was directed to the Kpando-Tokor area where the herdsmen and their cattle have been confined. According to the source the Police might be compelled to allow the herdsmen to continue their journey if people were not forthcoming to identify the cows purported to have been stolen because of the pressure their presence was bringing to bear on the water and other resources and the risk of hostility from the inhabitants of the Tokor area.