Experts warn against food insecurity in Northcentral

Food insecurity is imminent, not only in the Northcentral, but the entire country as a result of frequent clashes among farmers and herders, two lecturers from the University of Jos, Plateau State have, warned.

Plangshak Suchi and Sallek Musa of the Department of Sociology, the University of Jos, noted that the crisis among farmers and herders has assumed a dangerous dimension with adverse consequences for agricultural activities and food security.

In their research work entitled: “The Root Cause of Farmers-Herders Crisis in North Central Nigeria,” the researchers noted that suspicion among farming communities and Fulani herders has worsened.

The research report, which was presented to the public in Abuja yesterday, was supported by Rosa Luxemburg Foundation West Africa.

Part of the report reads: “Over the past two decades, there has been growing tension, confrontation, and series of violent conflicts among stationed farmers and nomadic Fulani herders across Nigeria. The violence is widespread, recurrent and persistent, with recorded incidents across all the six geo-political zones of the country.

“The North-Central zone, in particular, being a region of transition between the Northern and Southern parts of the country, is trapped in a recurring cycle of violent attacks on farming communities, which has since aggravated the farmers’-herders’ conflict to the stage of a crisis.

“The crisis has assumed a dangerous dimension with adverse consequences for agricultural activities and food security. Apart from the massive destruction of property (including food crops and cattle) and rampant displacement of communities, countless human lives have been lost and suspicion among farming communities and Fulani herders has worsened.

“Worst still, food insecurity is imminent not only in the North Central zone but also across the entire country.”

The dons urged the Federal Government to help communities affected or sacked by the violence to return to their ancestral homes through rebuilding programming and improving their resilience to violence.

According to them, this measure will provide the feeling of restoration and justice, adding that “it is a necessary ingredient for the return of lasting peace.”

Resident Representative, Rosa Luxembourg Foundation West Africa, Dr Claus Konig who was represented by the organisation’s Programme Manager, RLS West Africa Angela Odah expressed hope that the report will foster dialogue among communities, farmers-herders and other stakeholders to proffer alternatives for a peaceful solution of the crisis.