NOA DG, Omeri Condemns The Rising Number Of Cattle Rustling And Violent Crimes In Nigeria
Yakubu Busari,
The Director General of National Orientation Agency ,Mr Mike Omeri has raised alarm over rising number of cattle rustling , crimes in all society by bad and ugly elements .
The Director General, who was represented by Mr Bulus Dabit, disclosed this during a one day public forum on the role of non state actor in peace and security, in Plateau state at the Hill station hotel main conference Hall.
He reiterated the greatest challenges of society to violence and cattle rustling are being perpetrated by bad elements.
Omeri focused more on the role of society to ensure that people enjoy peace and tranquillity which is being undermined by violent conflicts for too long.
According to him, some of the criminal tendencies include, cattle rustling ,poising of grazing grass or drinking water ,killing of cattle, criminal attack on farmers and their communities ,gun running, merchandise of stolen goods including cattle ,human right abuses, assembling of IEDs and planting them in soft targets ,housing of criminal element most of whom are foreigners and killing of security personnel respectively.
He also recommended practical steps towards checking the activities of and also redirects their energy in productive society.
Omeri warned that these criminals live in our society, they are not spirit, a criminal is somebody child, husband, wife, brother, sister and community member so we need to condemn the act in its totality.
He blamed members of church and mosque for accepting them to continue to flourish and celebrate by hosting such dangerous elements.
Declaring the meeting open, chairman of the occasion and commissioner of police in Plateau State urged community leaders, youth groups, religious leaders, neighbourhood watch groups and teachers to build synergy in ensuring peace in the society.
He said government is deeply worried over the trend of unprovoked violence and the proliferation of arms in the country.
Appealing that all the stake holders should put their acts together and expose such criminals, saying government is ready to forgive any group or individual that surrenders her arms without being compelled.
He described cow rustling as stealing and said it is being encouraged by buyers within the society and appeals to government to try and engage youths resorted to the use of crime as sources of livelihood.
