Speaker calls for Resolution to Farmers-Herders Clashes Across Nigeria

The speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Tajudeen Abbas has enjoined all Farmers and headers, traditional leaders and other stakeholders to as a matter of urgency nip in the bud the age-long conflict between farmers and herders in Nigeria.

He lamented that farmers/herders’ clashes which were hitherto seen as a regional or a confined conflict has taken a new dimension as it has expanded and grown into a wider conflict beyond the borders of many west African countries.

The speaker was speaking at the opening ceremony of the Stakeholders Interactive Session held by the House Ad-hoc Committee on the ‘Recurring Annual Clashes Between Farmers and Herders in Yamaltu/Deba Local Government Area Of Gombe State, and Neighbouring Local Government Areas, Including Other Regions Of The Country With Similar Incidents’, in Abuja.

Represented by the Deputy Speaker, Hon Benjamin Kalu, he said that it was because of the implications for the collective good of the nation that, the House resolved to take a critical look into the causes, nature, dimensions, actors, impact, and possible solution to the nagging national challenge.

Read Also: Deputy Speaker Stresses Need To Reinvigorate Nigerian Economy

“The clashes have resulted in avoidable losses of lives and property. It is estimated that over 60,000 people have been killed since 2001. It ought not to be so. The number of deaths, injuries, and kidnapped persons constitutes an alarming situation and poses a serious national security challenge for Nigeria’s quest to attain food security and alternative foreign earnings from the agricultural sector. This menace requires urgent action to be taken,” Hon Abbas said.

He commended the Committee for its prompt response to the request of the House to investigate the herder-farmer clashes.

“As you carry out this all-important national assignment, I enjoin you to be guided by the values of integrity, fairness, and social justice. You must also engage relevant stakeholders in open dialogues, including representatives from the security sector, and socio-cultural groups as well as experts in mediation, dialogue, conflict management, and peace building,” he added.

On his part, the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu represented by Professor Abdullahi Mohammed Ya’u lamented that, farmers/herders’ conflict has taken more lives than most of the crises seen in the country and the problem is still ongoing affecting the nation’s collective socio-economic interests.

He said, the NSA office has expanded its focus to tackle the security issues involved by addressing the issue through dialogue, community engagements in collaboration with all relevant authorities.

In a memorandum submitted by Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore titled ‘Memorandum on Disputes Between Farmers and Herders In Yamaltu-Deba Local Government Area, Gombe State’, it stated that farmers/herders conflicts have a significant impact on the livelihood of Nigerians in Yamaltu-Deba and other places.

It stated, “Understanding and addressing these changes in access to grazing land or water sources is crucial in mitigating conflicts between herders and farmers in Yamaltu-Deba Local government area.

“Striking a balance between the needs and rights of groups, promoting sustainable land and water management practices, and implementing inclusive policies can help reduce conflicts and ensure the co-existence of herders and farmers in the region”.

Similarly, in a presentation by its National President, Khalil Mohammed Bello, Kulen Allah Cattle Rearer’s Association of Nigeria (KACRAN), stated that, failure of states and federal governments to take sustainable actions contributed a lot to the escalation of the conflict.

“Some laws emerging in some states, restricting the free movement of Pastoralists, is seen as an infringement on the principle of free movement of people which is a constitutional right of every Nigerian, did not in any way reduce conflicts, rather, it aggravated it. Inability of the National Assembly to pass a bill for an act to establish ‘Grazing Reserves’ in each of the state of the Federation in 2016. This was largely because Pastoralism, was seen as a profession practiced by mainly one ethnic group, so the bill was thrown out,” Mr. Bello said.

On his part, the Chairman of the Committee, Hon Bappa Aliyu Misau said, the issues faced by farmers and herders have reached a critical juncture, demanding our immediate attention and collaborative efforts to find sustainable solution.

“To address the root cause of these problems, we need a multi-faced approach that integrates the effort of Governments, Private Sector, Civil Society Organizations. We must also explore investments in agricultural infrastructure such as adequate investment in irrigation systems, storage facilities, rural road network,” among others, Hon Misau said.

The stakeholders agreed that the clashes between the farmers and herders is taking dangerous dimension and sued for peace and peaceful resolution of the current crisis.