Four hundred and thirty five cattle were rustled from different parts Kwara State last year, just as 54 herdsmen were said to have died within the period.

Chairman of Miyyeti Allah Cattle Breeders' Association of Nigeria, Kwara State chapter, Alhaji Usman Adamu, told Daily Trust that nine members of his association are missing, following recent clashes at Alapa, a suburb of Ilorin in Asa Local Government Area of the state.

In August 23, 2013, clash between some Fulani herdsmen and Yorubas caused tension in the community. Crisis ensued between the Yoruba and Fulani residents over the alleged murder of a Yoruba man, a development which reportedly sparked reprisal resulting in the killing of many herdsmen and destruction of Fulani settlements. The Miyyeti Allah chairman, however, added that no case of stolen cattle has been recorded this year.

He accused local vigilantes of attacking and molesting Fulani herdsmen, calling on the security agencies to intervene in the matter.

"Last year alone, apart from the number of our people that were killed, no fewer than 435 cattle were stolen while our children and aged women were raped to death. We appreciate the intervention of the government, emir and security agencies, but we still want them to do more to protect Fulani herdsmen," Adamu said.

Also speaking, Alhaji Salihu Abdulkadir, national president, Jamu Nati Fulbe, a Fulani association with dominance in the South-west, told Daily Trust correspondent that cattle rustling is a huge problem that must be tackled.

On his part, president, All Fulani Elite Congress, Kwara State, Alhaji Ahmed Magaji, warned that if the trend continues, many breeders may be forced to leave Nigeria.

"Cattle rustling has become a very serious problem. About 20 years ago, people considered it an issue that was affecting Fulanis alone, but now it has transcended beyond cattle rustling into robbery. Many Fulanis are running away from some of the areas that are highly connected with such problems. If we are not careful, Fulanis will leave Nigeria and instead of becoming a cattle exporting country, we would become a cattle importing country," he said.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Okasanmi Ajayi, said he was not aware of any case of cattle rustling.