Youths allegedly participating in cattle rustling in Gesima ward have been given a one-week ultimatum to surrender to authorities for amnesty or face severe consequences in a planned crackdown.
This comes a three days after two youths who have allegedly been engaging in the illegal business surrendered willingly to Riamoni assistant chief to comply to a similar ultimatum that was issued a week ago.
Speaking on Thursday when he met village elder from the region, Riamoni assistant chief Sambu Bosire said he was compelled to extend the previous ultimatum following implication of a number of youths by those who surrendered.
“I have talked to my village headmen and we have agreed to give another one week ultimatum for those who are willing to surrender. They (those who surrendered) have mentioned a number of youths whom we know and we want them to come out and honor our request or face the law,” he said.
Mr Sambu said his administration will not relent in coming up with strategies to combat cattle rustling that has caused havoc among livestock farmers in the region.
“The habit of stealing cattle from hard working farmers is outdated and primitive. We are really concerned that our youths have formed a network that is planning and executing the crime. This is their moment to surrender or we teach them a lesson,” he said.
He urged parents whose children have been adversely mentioned as being part of the team executing the crime to plead with their children to abandon the activity before the government takes a stiff action against them.