Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas said on Monday, August 28, that the frequent clashes between farmers and herders in the country have the capacity of creating a major food crisis in the country.
The speaker, who was represented by his deputy, Benjamin Kalu, said something must be done fast to address the ugly situation which he said also has adverse implications for national security.
He was speaking while inaugurating an ad hoc committee to interface with relevant stakeholders on the recurring clashes between farmers and herders in the Yamaltu-Debu area of Gombe state and other regions of the country.
He said the task before the committee was very critical and of utmost national importance as it directly affects both national and food security and is a matter that has lingered for decades.
He said: “Given its implications for the collective good of the nation, the House resolved to take a critical look into the causes, nature, dimensions, actors, impact, and possible solution to this nagging national challenge. Hence the constitution of this Ad-hoc Committee.
“These conflicts have escalated in recent years and it is quite consequential to our national security. What is even more concerning is the appropriation of these conflicts by terror groups, bandits and international criminal organizations.
“This has had severe consequences including the restriction of farmers from access to their farmlands, leading to food price inflation, high cost of living, unemployment, and loss of foreign earnings that would have accrued through the agricultural sector.
“It is therefore a germane concern that an otherwise multi-billion dollar livestock industry is mired in crisis and security challenges. It ought not to be so. It should rather be an avenue for gainful employment, and industrial and manufacturing renaissance when the entire value chain is explored.
“What is clear from the foregoing is that we are not only dealing with a national security problem but also a food security challenge. Indeed, the two reinforce themselves. No doubt, these conflicts are in part triggered by the global environmental challenge of climate change.
“It arises from the drought and extreme weather conditions brought about by climate change, especially in the Northern part of the country.
“As a result, farmers are forced to move their livestock to other parts of the country that are less affected by grazing, leading to the destruction of farmlands and crops. In retaliation, farmers often resort to slaughtering the herders’ livestock. These actions exacerbate the food crises as both crops and livestock are destroyed in the process.
“In the past, these clashes were viewed as mere communal clashes arising from disputes over farming land, grazing spaces, and water, which were largely confined to northern Nigeria.
“However, the clashes have long escalated and spread to other parts of the country, taking on political and ethno-religious dimensions. It ought not to be so. In addition, there are claims of violent herders infiltrating our borders from neighbouring countries and perpetuating killings, cattle rustling, and destruction of property.
“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”.
The speaker tasked the committee, to uncover the facts, identify the remote and immediate causes of herder-farmer clashes in Yamaltu – Deba and other regions, interrogate the degree of loss of lives and property, and recommend policy and legislative solutions.
He said: “Let us set aside our differences, prejudices, and biases as we work together for our collective good. By doing so, we will not only resolve these crises but also promote social cohesion, economic development, and unity among our diverse communities”.
The chairman of the committee, Aliyu Bappa Misau said the issues faced by farmers and herders have reached a critical juncture, demanding immediate attention and collaborative efforts to find sustainable solutions.
He said the mandate of the committee will look into the long-standing tension between farmers and herders which has escalated, leading to conflicts over land and _ resources, competition for grazing areas and water sources which has resulted in violence and loss of lives and properties on both sides.
According to him, the conflicts not only disrupt rural communities but also have broader socio-economic and political implications in the nation, saying “Our primary objective is to bridge the divide and foster improved understanding among farmers and herders taking into cognizance the unique challenges faced by the groups by promoting dialogue, building trust and creating an environment where mutual respect and shared prosperity can thrive.”
He further stated that “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 while exploring investments in agricultural infrastructure such as adequate investment in irrigation systems, storage facilities, rural road network etc. conflict resolution and land management, continued investment in agricultural research and development, enhancing skills and knowledge of farmers and herders (Education and Capacity Building).”
