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Tag: herdsmen

  • Herdsmen: Buhari condemns clashes

    Herdsmen: Buhari condemns clashes

    President Muhammadu Buhari said yesterday that Nigeria has had enough of the clashes between herdsmen and farmers.

    He said the government had mandated security agencies to end the problem.

    “On the matter of herdsmen/farmers clashes, I wish to state that this administration will not tolerate or condone acts of banditry and criminality under any guise. As such, our security agencies have been mandated to deal with such acts decisively,” Buhari said at the graduation of members of Course 24 of the National Defence College (NDC), Abuja.

    He said his administration was committed to tackling underdevelopment and neglect in the Niger Delta.

    “This is a priority we have set before us and we intend to make appreciable gains in correcting the ills of the past in the Niger Delta by assuaging inherent grievances,” the President said, adding that government had worked in conjunction with local and international partners to rebuild damaged communities in the Northeast.

    His words: “You will recall that on being sworn-in on May 29, 2015, I outlined core areas of our national life that require intervention, some of which I will like to reiterate here today.

    “First, we should seek to secure the country, improve the economy and fight corruption. As it is, this is our unfinished business from the past and dates back to the creation of our republic, yet to this day, corruption and poverty remain our main national problems.

     “As part of efforts to address corruption, we have set in motion legal processes to recover whatever we can and bring to justice those who betrayed their trust. Thus far, we have recovered billions of naira from indicted companies and individuals.

    “In addition, through the implementation and enforcement of the Treasury Single Account, we have saved more for our nation.”

     Buhari said to end poverty, the government “has set up social interventions and relief for the poor. Data is being collated by the Economic Planning Office of the Vice President in conjunction with the World Bank.

    “In addition, through our 2016 budget, we intend to stimulate the economy, making it more competitive by focusing on infrastructural development, delivering inclusive growth and prioritising the welfare of Nigerians.”

    The President pledged his commitment to the fulfilment of his electoral promises to Nigerians, although he said the task was not easy.

    “We are, however, not under any illusion that this task is an easy one. But we have put our trust in God, knowing that with hard work and sound vision, we will triumph.”

    He said the budget, besides helping industry, commerce and investment to pick up, would address youth unemployment and the poor living conditions of the people.

    “We, therefore, reckon that to tap our opportunities, we need a philosophy of transparency and accountability in governance. The other core areas we need to improve are the rule of law and moral standards in government and society in order to provide a solid foundation for good governance so that our gains are not dissipated by corruption.

    “Good governance must be based on a sound moral foundation, a philosophy of transparency, accountability and an ethic of effective implementation. Already, our unrelenting fight against criminality and corruption in governance is a clear testament that we intend to address these problems.”

    Buhari spoke of the determination of his administration to bequeath a new orientation in leadership to the nation and the realisation of its promises to the electorate.

    He said the National Defence College was a unique institution, which empowered the military with the highest level of skills in management practices and governance for the development of  institutions.

    Said he: “We are pleased to learn that the blueprint of training at this college has kept pace with our security environment. In this vein, you will be pleased to note that in the last one year, through the hard work, dedication and sacrifices made by members of the Armed Forces and security services, we have degraded the capacity of Boko Haram insurgents to wreak havoc on our society.

     “As strategic leaders, you must remember that our Armed Forces have been the torch bearers of many of our non-military innovations. I am therefore very happy to hear that the graduating course has undertaken a higher defence management and strategic research on the topic “Youth Bulge in Nigeria, Implication for National Security”.

    One hundred and thirty officers from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, Immigration Service, National Defence College, Defence Intelligence Agency, Department of State Security, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Prisons Service, Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Federal Road Safety Commission participated in the course. Seven foreigners took part.

    The event was attended by the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin, Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, among others.

     

  • How ranches can stop herdsmen’s threats

    How ranches can stop herdsmen’s threats

    The Federal Government is facing the challenge of cattle rearers across the country. To solve the problem, stakeholders are advocating the establishment of cattle ranches, with the goal of modernising livestock husbandry and inducing pastoralists to settle in one place. DANIEL ESSIET writes.

    These are trying times for farmers who are threatened by the activities of nomadic herdsmen.

    These herdsmen, believed to come from the Fulani ethnic group with their large number of cattles, engage in nefarious activities, such as the destruction of farm crops, arable land, pollution of water bodies, as well as killing and maiming of farmers who dare to stand against them. It is said that they rape innocent women in the communities as well. In some cases, clashes between the herdsmen and farmers have resulted in loss of lives and properties.

    To address this growing tension and prevent its aggravation, stakeholders are calling for immediate action to prevent  the problem escalating to a full blown national crisis.

    Right now, there are two bills before the National Assembly. The Bill for an Act to establish the National Grazing Route and Reserve Commission, to establish and control Grazing Routes and Reserves in all parts of Nigeria; and for Other Matters Related Thereto (HB, 388), and the Bill for an Act to create a Department of Cattle Ranches under the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, or any such Ministry Overseeing the Production and Rearing of Cattle; and for Other Matters Related Thereto (HB 323).

    But  some  stakeholders  do not agree with the  idea of grazing  routes and areas; rather,  they are pushing for cattle ranches as a means of ending recurring conflicts between herdsmen and farmers. Ranching is the practice of raising herds of animals on large tracts of land. Currently, ranching and livestock industry is growing faster than any other agricultural sector in the world. This is practiced in countries like the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Zimbabwe and South Africa.

    Worldwide, private organisations and individuals establish cattle ranches. In most of the arrangements, a group of people jointly hold title to land, maintain agreed herd sizes, and own livestock individually, but herd them together.

    Speaking on the issue, the President of the Federation of Agricultural Commodities Association of Nigeria (FACAN), Dr. Victor Iyama, said that cattle raised within the ranches are well fed. Within a ranch, the managers ensure that livestock have grass to graze, good water to drink, and that they are in the right pasture that allows grazed plants time to recover and become highly productive.

    Iyama said Nigeria needs cattle ranches across major parts of the North as practiced in Australia.

    Such businesses, he said, will have   sheds, machinery, accommodation for workers, vegetable gardens. Cattle ranches will also house meat processing plants.

    Apart from reducing the problem of clashes with communities,  large-scale cattle ranching create jobs for farmers, veterinarians, mechanics, and engineers, he said, adding that moving cattles around is not the best for livestock management.

    He described the practice as ‘cruelty to animals, having to walk them for miles in search for grazing areas, stressing that there is no way in Australia with the largest number of cattle population in the world that cattle herdsmen would move animals around.

    Iyama said the absence of the law regulating movement of cattle has led to criminals masquerading as herdsmen and getting away with criminal activities such as destruction of farms.

    He said a lot of waste lands along the nation’s economic routes cannot be used by conventional agriculture, adding that the government can support private investors to take over those areas and convert them to cattle ranches. According to him, there are massive hectares of land along the Lagos –Ibadan axis  and the road to the north that are wasting that can be converted by private Nigerians into cattle ranches.

    He said Australia has been able to curtail cattle herdsmen and communal conflict because of its large cattle stations with cattle farms covering thousands of square kilometers.

    This ensures peaceful co-existence between crop farmers and animal farmers, particularly herdsmen.

    With drought conditions and high feed prices creating havoc for many cattle herdsmen. Feed costs have escalated in dramatic proportions, and in some cases farmers are struggling to be able to acquire feed at all.

    To address this, Iyama is launching a national initiative to help cattle herdsmen feed herds from hydroponically grown feed, saying that  the hydroponic feed will provide a highly nutritious and cost effective living feed for cattle on the ranches.

    The feed will be grown from barley and other seeds, which are placed in climatically controlled hydroponic unit.It takes 6 days for the seeds to germinate into a mat of nutritious fresh green barley shoots.

    He said it is his expectation that  the system will provide a consistent, daily supply of fresh feed. With this system, he explained that there was no need to move cattle around the country.

    His thoughts are shared by  other stakeholders who believe  as   urban  consumers  became more  demanding,  especially  in  the  area  of  hygiene,  the  balance  of  the  market   will shift  against pastoralists and towards enclosed systems.

    One of them is the Chief Executive, Centre for Cocoa Initiative, Mr. Robo Adhuze.

    He believes the potential of agriculture is enormous. But there is a huge gap – at the moment agriculture contributes little to thenation’s Gross domestic product (GDP).

    He observed that the sector requires commercial farming, not only to provide the country but also to be able to export, so they can get the foreign earnings that they so desperately need.

    Adhuze noted that rangeland livestock production is an important form ofdiversified agriculture.

    He said the government needs to apply new development concepts to make agriculture more efficient, inclusive and environment-friendly.

    According to him, marked progress in livestock farming ensures food security and supply, while the urban-rural income gap must be narrowed.

    He said that a cattle rearing was private business.He said nomadic cattle rearing was obsolete and should be discouraged.

    He reiterated that establishment of cattle ranches is a lasting solution to the frequent clashes between herdsmen and farmers.

    Speaking with The Nation, a former Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ilorin(UNILORIN), Prof Abiodun Adeloye  said  the livestock industry  will do well with cattle ranches  established  with miles of fencing and  water supplies accessible to grazing land.  Cattle ranches, he explained,  will support  large pastures-grass vegetation in addition to cattle. Also, cattle will be handled in a more gentle fashion, while herdsmen will be allowed  them to move around  effectively and reduce long-term stress on the animals .

    According to him, investors will make efforts to create large feedlots and also establish  slaughter facilities.

    Cattle ranching,he emphasised is the best livestock management  to handle a greater number of cattle.

    The other issue is that Nigeria is yet to establish a completely computerised traceability system where consumers know exactly where their beef comes from and how it was raised.

  • Taming the terror of herdsmen

    Taming the terror of herdsmen

    There are no cohesive and copious details of the emergence and timing of Fulani pastoralists’ revolution in Nigeria’s history. However, it is implicit that the origin of the group has been traced to Senegambia region where they migrated and expand in Africa. The group is usually described as Hamites while their language associated with that of coastal Senegal.

    Presently, more than seven million of the group has broadened their horizon across the savannahs area of the North, South of Sahel and the Lake Chad. Livestock farming is the pastime of the Fulanis. The exodus of Fulani herdsmen from the Northern region to the South and East of Nigeria is attributed to good ecological terrain for grazing and favourable weather condition. Beginning from 20th century, the migration of the nomadic group has spawned persistent conflicts in the country. The major factors responsible for the conflicts are lack of grazing facilities and regulation, as well as ethno-religious bigotry.

    In a research conducted by Stone Conroy on land conflicts in Nigeria, a pastoralist in Plateau State said: “Our herd is our life because to every nomad life is worthless without his cattle. What do you expect from us when our source of existence is threatened? The encroachment of grazing fields and routes by farmers is a call to war. Wherever we turn we find the land reserved for our cattle to feast, taken over by farmers. It becomes difficult for our herd to move and graze without veering into crop fields. Once that happens, the farmers confront us and we have no option but to fight back.”

    However, a farmer in Sokoto explained: “In the past, the migration use to be more in the middle of the dry season and after harvest. But nowadays, it is throughout the year. Worst of all during planting season, they (Fulani herdsmen) walk on seeds planted, and in most cases a lot of the seeds fail to germinate. This has caused huge loss to us. The damage is usually the cause of our conflicts with the Fulani herdsmen. It is a yearly battle between us”.

    Fundamentally, it should be noted that the only challenge faced by the herdsmen is lack of grazing land. In response to the ceaseless clashes between the pastoralist and the farmers, the idea of establishing grazing reserve was introduced by the World Bank in 1947 and it was espoused by the Federal Government in 1970-1974 national plans. The rationale behinds this scheme was to provide medical care, sustainable pastures, water and settlement for the pastoralists in the country.

    The strategy was also fashioned to commercialise livestock production and allow pastoralists to manage and coordinate the resources allocated to them. However, policies and programmes initiated by the government did not achieve anything.

    This has led to herdsmen-farmers crises in Benue, Enugu and Ekiti states. The boorish attacks by the pastoralists raise a fundamental question on whether the Fulani herdsmen’s activities are terrorism in disguise or a mere pastoralists’ outburst.

    The inability of government to protect citizens from the menace of social vices interrogates the usefulness of our institutions. There is a universal verdict that violence doesn’t occur in space, but a by-product of ethno-religious and ideological complexities. Terrorism has becomes a revolutionary weapon in creating socio-political change, while insecurity becomes a legal and conventional measure to settle ethnic, religious and political difference.

    The fragility of the nation has perpetuated proliferation of ethnic militias and organised terror groups, which have claimed many lives and properties. To compound our problem, we have seen entrenched poverty, illiteracy, corruption, unemployment, inequality, social injustice and bad leadership in Nigeria. These have encourages needless uprising and caused sectarian violence.

    It is a system whereby a society is criminalised and therefore becomes inhabitable for its dwellers. The activities of Fulani herdsmen are still claiming lives in the country. It is against this backdrop that I suggest that the attacks on farmers by the pastoralists should be holistically addressed. Government and its security institutions should be make progressive move to contain this growing monster. President Muhammadu Buhari should provide a pragmatic and hardnosed solution to this menace.

    To this end, the full implementation of Grazing Bill serves as a panacea to deadly fracas between farmers and the herdsmen. The 774 local governments should provide grazing land for the survival and smooth running of pastoralists’ occupation in Nigeria. Implementation of Grazing Bill will curtail excesses of the Fulani herdsmen and deadly groups hiding under the disguise of pastoralism.

    Thus, regardless of political affiliations, ethnicity and religion, all stakeholders in the country should rally round the Federal Government to proffer end to insecurity ravaging our nation.

     

    Ojo is a Master’s student at School of Politics and International Studies, University of Leeds, UK.

  • Herdsmen: Civil Defence tightens security at boundary towns

    Herdsmen: Civil Defence tightens security at boundary towns

    The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Ekiti State has tightened security at border towns, to prevent attacks by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

    The Commandant, Donatus Ikemefuna, said yesterday at a briefing that the measure would prevent invasion of communities and killing of residents.

    The towns include Emure, Omuo, Eda Oniyo, Efon, Ijero, Ikere Ekiti and others sharing boundaries with neighbouring states.

    According to him, outposts will be created from the existing divisions to check the activities of rustlers and other criminals.

    Suspected Fulani herdsmen on May 21 invaded Oke Ako in Ikole Local Government and killed two persons. Cases of rustling have been reported in some communities.

    Ikemefuna said: “When I came about two months ago, I met the monarchs during my visits to the divisions. They requested that outposts should be established in the hinterland to prevent attacks.

    “We will deploy more men in these outposts to boost security. We are determined to tighten security. We want to make Ekiti a no-go-area for criminals and this we are pursuing with our sister agencies.”

    The NSCDC chief said his command was aware of the challenges of insecurity in the remote towns and villages, adding that the new outposts will spread the security dragnet and fish out those with nefarious intentions.

    He said those arrested in connection with vandalism of public utilities and others selling adulterated petrol and diverting same were being prosecuted, while one conviction was secured.

  • Herdsmen, farmers’ clash looms in Bayelsa as group begins mediation

    Herdsmen, farmers’ clash looms in Bayelsa as group begins mediation

    There is tension in some parts of Bayelsa State following a looming clash between the Fulani herdsmen and farmers in the state.

    It was learnt that the farmers were angry at the activities of the herdsmen who allegedly allowed their cows to graze in their farmland destroying their crops.

    The development was reportedly breeding bad blood between the herdsmen and the farmers with angry youths in some of the areas threatening to confront the cattle rearers.

    Already, the herders and the farmers were said to have clashed with some of them sustaining injuries.

    To avert a repeat occurrence, advocacy groups, Nigeria Reconciliation and Stability Project (NRSP) of the British Council and the Bayelsa State Peace and Conflict Management Alliance (BSPCMA) waded into the controversy at the weekend.

    The groups decried the way farmers were being attacked by the Fulani herdsmen across the country.

    The leader, BSPCMA, Mrs Elizabeth Egbe, who spoke after the meeting in Yenagoa, with farmers and victims of the attack in the state said there was a need to find a lasting solution to the increasing attack.

    She said that the attacks on farmers by the Fulani herdsmen in the state were calling on the relevant authorities to step up action to avert the recurring situation.

    Egbe said: “Our move to check conflict between herdsmen and communities in the state has become necessary in order to ensure more peaceful co-existence and promote the country’s vision of self-sufficiency in food production.

    “We have heard that there is tension already in some communities in Bayelsa such as Biogbolo, Yenuzie-Epie, Okutukutu and Epie in Yenagoa Local Government Area of the state, where some farmers were attacked by the herdsmen.

    “We are here to find out the root of the matter and way forward for the betterment of our people and Nigerians.

    “The farmers, who were attacked are here with us; some of them were beaten up and left with bruises recently while in their farms and some were cut with knives.

    “We have had a meeting with the security agencies to tackle the issue here in Bayelsa. So, we are urging the government to provide a grazing field for the Fulani herdsmen in the state – a place, where they can settle rather than moving from one bush to another.”

    One of the farmers and victim of the attack, Mrs. Margret Samuel, said during the attack, she was given a knife cut on her hand.

    She urged the government to protect the farmers against cruel attacks by Fulani herdsmen through an enabling law.

    “My hands were nearly cut off by the herdsmen during a recent attack. The attack was cruel and it must not be allowed to continue.

    “I was suprised when I saw a group of herdsmen in my farm on that faitful day and before I could say a word, they started beating me,” Samuel alleged.

    One of the herdsmen at the meeting, Suleman Abubakar, said that those fueling the attack were not herdsmen based in Bayelsa.

    Abubakar said: “I do not know where the attacks are coming from because I have never been part of it. I move my cows from place to place and do not find people’s trouble. I can tell you emphatically that we (herdsmen) in Bayelsa don’t know who is causing the problem in the state.

    “Those causing the trouble in Bayelsa are not herdsmen based here. We suggest that the relevant authorities should carry out more investigation to unravel those behind the dastardly act.”

  • Enugu herdsmen attack: This type of thing won’t happen again on our soil, says governor as victims are buried

    Enugu herdsmen attack: This type of thing won’t happen again on our soil, says governor as victims are buried

    Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State yesterday vowed that the kind of killings that took place in Nimbo, Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of the state last April will not be allowed to happen again.

    The governor, who was speaking during the burial service for nine of the victims of the attack held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Nimbo, the governor said, ´’this will never happen again on our soil. We won’t take this again’.

    It was the same tone of bitterness that took the better of the homily delivered by the Catholic Bishop of Nsukka Diocese, Rt. Rev. Prof. Godfrey Onah, who condemned the killings and called on the Federal Government to do the needful to save the vulnerable farmers from any further attacks by the suspected herdsmen.

    It was tears and wailing after the service, as the victims were committed to mother earth.

    The occasion, although solemn, attracted a large crowd of sympathisers and mourners, including the Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.

    Security was tight, as combined operatives of the various security agencies were deployed to provide security as the 12 fallen members of the community were laid to rest.

    In an emotion laden speech at the occasion, Governor Ugwuanyi said: “Monday, the 25th of April, 2016, will ever remain a dark, sad and solemn day in the memory of the people of Enugu State and indeed Nigerians at large.

    “It was on that day that our brothers and sisters, whose remains are lying here before us, were ambushed and murdered in cold blood and in their own land.

    “Having done all that was needful including attending to the injured and the displaced, we have assembled here, in tears and in grief, to bury the dead and bid their innocent souls a final farewell.

    “Though our emotions cannot restore them to life, we find solace in the fact that the whole world had stood by us and offered us sympathy and solidarity, ever since the incident that took their lives, occurred.

    “We make bold to declare that their deaths can never be in vain and we pledge to do all that is within our legitimate means to give them justice. Like the martyrs they have become, the spilling of their innocent blood is already saving souls, as it has aroused in our people and indeed the whole nation, a burning impulse to do all that is necessary to prevent the future occurrence of similar incidents anywhere in the country. “

    The governor’s speech, which was filled with emotions, stated further: “Shortly after the attack, we had called for fasting and prayers and we must declare that the God of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Jacob, and awesome God of David, has not failed us but has continued to show us His mercies. For, even as we await the outcome of the judicial panel of Inquiry that we have constituted to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident, we received news that five people, who are suspected to have participated in the attack, had been arrested by the police and paraded before the whole world.

    “We use this occasion therefore to once again, express our gratitude to the generality of Nigerians who put aside religious, ethnic and political differences, to offer us their hands of support and sympathy after the killings. We thank the Federal Government and the security agencies for the steps they are taking to prevent future occurrences and address the issues that led to the incident.

    “We thank the people of Enugu State for their restraint and for the confidence they placed in our ability as a Government to deal with the matter in a mature and responsible manner.

    “Finally, we wish to thank the elders and stakeholders of Enugu State, Traditional Rulers, Members of the State and National Assemblies, members of the clergy and indeed everyone who found time to be here today as we send forth our brothers and sisters, to eternity and immortality. May their souls rest in peace.”

  • Curbing the terror of Fulani herdsmen

    For many years, Nigeria has contended with more than enough societal infractions, all of which relate with threats to peace, security and most unfortunately life of innocent citizens.

    Most notorious of these has been the Boko Haram insurgency which has become a part of a world-wide terrorism that confronts many nations today, not even sparing the hitherto “impregnable” nations like the United States, Britain, France et al! The others include militancy, local militias, armed robbery, communal land conflicts, clueless assassinations, kidnappings and lately, in a fast tempo but worsening dimensions, Fulani herdsmen hostilities.

    To the glory of God, and also thanks to President Muhammadu Buhari’s initiatives since the ruling All Progressives Congress federal government came to power mid-2015, the Boko Haram arrogance and embarrassment is fast becoming a thing of the past.

    On the other hand, the festering Fulani herdsmen hostility has assumed such an increasing dimension that kid-gloves would be unable to halt it.

    Historically, the Fulani race are predominantly nomadic, a culture that perfectly fits into their tradition of cattle rearing, which they know how to do better than other tribes.

    Since Nigeria was amalgamated in 1914, this culture had never brought them into conflict with their host communities in other parts of Nigeria, the way that we now experience it, which is very unfortunate.

    This writer recalls with nostalgia how in those days, he and other young school children would visit the Fulani abodes in their communities to view cows at close range, especially when they were being milked in gaas (Fulani settlements). Such young “tourist” visitors were usually entertained with fura (boiled coagulated cow milk). We were never attacked by the Fulani hosts in those days! Neither did our parents and our ancestors confront them in their trade, because there was mutual respect in the prevailing symbiotic hegemony. In those days, the herdsmen would herd their cattle around for daily grazing far away from the gaas, painstakingly avoiding the farms and farmsteads of their host communities!

    Today, this conviviality is no longer the case. Instead, it’s been gory tales galore from one community to another. Numerous reports now abound of Fulani herdsmen’s invasion of communities in the dead of the night, burning houses, and unleashing gunfire from sophisticated weapons to maim and kill defenseless Nigerians as a “reprisal” for the latter’s challenge of cattle eating crops that they had laboured to cultivate for a living!

    In the pre- and early post-independence times, the herdsman would go about with only anchored arrows, sheathed swords and double-faced knives as defensive arms against rustlers and attackers. Nowadays, these crude arms have been replaced with sophisticated weapons like AK-47 rifles and pump action guns, as well as petrol in jerry cans, not for defence but for assault and arson! Where herders whose cattle destroyed farms were arrested and made to pay compensation, the herders soon staged reprisals by kidnapping such victims to extort multiples of fines as compensation. We have even had a case of elite kidnapping where a former Finance Minister and Secretary to the Federal  Government was kidnapped on his farm in Ondo State but later released after a ransom was obtained by his Fulani captors!

    It is a well-known fact nationwide that numerous lives had been lost and countless houses touched on account of the escapades of Fulani herdsmen. The latest of these happened at Ukpabi – Nimbo, Enugu State when about 50 people were reportedly killed when their village was invaded in the night of Sunday April 24. In earlier multiple assaults on the Agatu community in Benue State, the number of lives lost reportedly ran into hundreds.

    Some common things in these attacks are the elements of reprisal, surprise and mostly nocturnal timing against unsuspecting citizens who in most cases were sleeping.

    This style obviously qualifies the attacks for classification as terrorism, which Nigeria cannot afford again. As current military efforts are taking Nigeria out of Boko Haram insurgency, we must do everything possible to ensure that terrorism by herdsmen (or any other group) is completely eliminated from our geographical space.

    The nation requires a double-prone attack to bring further attacks under speedy control (short-term solution), and ultimately eliminate them (long-term solution).

    The short-term solution is partly what the President has already directed, that both the military and the police establish presence in all the affected communities under attack. This is in addition to on-going pacification and reconciliation efforts by different arms and tiers of government.

    Good as these may look, they have an apparent inherent weakness, because only communities that had once been attacked would qualify for protection, and mediation.

    In a situation where the herdsmen act like terrorists, this approach could be both ineffective and inefficient, unless every Nigerian community would be simultaneously covered. Experiences of the inadequacy of this approach in Plateau State lend credence to this reservation, because this writer does not believe that we have the security manpower to cope with simultaneous protection of all the Nigerian communities. Moreover, if it is true that the attackers are herdsmen from outside Nigeria, efforts at mediation between presumed Nigerian Fulanis and the Nigerian victims would have been wrongly directed!

    The long-term, but obviously more effective and efficient approach is multi- pronged.

    First, which the federal government has announced, is to establish expansive cattle ranches, albeit compatmentalised in every state of the federation. Herdsmen settlements should be built within each ranch in the traditional patterns and styles of the Fulani. Nomadism should be allowed only within the confines of each ranch. Movement of cattle into and out of the ranches, and also to the markets across the nation shall be in trucks only. Physically driving cattle in the age-old nomadic way should be outlawed. Reason is that the practice is archaic and its continued practice would accentuate inter-ethnic disharmony over struggles for farming land and grazing territory.

    No state particularly in the south should losesleep over the establishment of cattle ranches because state ranches would principally complement each state government’s efforts in feeding its people. This would be in addition to being a veritable way to achieving self-sufficiency by the country. We must not perennially rely on trans-saharan supply of cattle to feed Nigeria.

    The additional benefits of this to the nation would be the possibility of introducing of research-based cattle feeds for faster cow growth, healthier beef and more nutritious and more abundant milk production. These would be complimented with the establishment of research centres and hospitals for the herdsmen and families as well as the herds’ in each ranch.

    In addition, modern city facilities like schools, recreation centres etc. could be provided to encourage the herdsmen and families to make a living there.

    Second, a programme should be established to encourage the Fulani herdsmen to ease out of nomadism, because that culture or tradition no longer has a place in modern times anywhere in the world. Nigeria currently imports a lot of our dairy requirements from other parts of the world where ranches are the centres of production. So, we also should change for this optimal approach.

    Third, it is important to mention that ranches developed as proposed here could, sooner than later, also become additional centres of development in Nigeria. The government through the research centres would be helped greatly in the development of improved varieties of cows to produce protein-rich beef and milk for the nation.

    Once established, and with an enabling law, trans-border herding of cattle by non-Nigerians could be eliminated for good. This would enable the country to keep away from our territory those non-Nigerian battle-armed Fulani herdsmen that herd their cattle along the West African belt under the ECOWAS trade protocol that is being currently abused and exploited.

    It is hoped that other West African, nay other African nations would take a cue from these innovations because of their potentials for economic growth and peaceful co-existence.

     

    • Chief Ologunde is chieftain of All Progressives Congress, (APC), Lagos State.
  • ‘Herdsmen not behind attacks on communities’

    ‘Herdsmen not behind attacks on communities’

    A group, the Progressive Mind for Development Initiative (PMDI), yesterday explained that there is no linkage between nomadic herdsmen and terrorism.

    The group noted that herdsmen who have been terrorising communities in different parts of the country are Boko Haram insurgents displaced by Nigerian troops.

    Speaking at a press briefing in Lagos, the leader of the group, Comrade Abubakar Abdulsalam urged the Federal Government to ensure adequate protection of the borders to put a stop to the influx of foreigners with bias for terrorism into the country.

    He said:” A herdsman is a man whose job is to take care of animals such as cattle. How then does he mix killing of people with tending cattle. And after killing people, does he escape with his cattle? If yes, at what speed? If we agree that the job of taking care of cattle to graze and sell is his source of income, then what becomes his come for killing the people of the community where his cattle graze?

    “We now have two types of herdsmen; the cattle herdsmen and terrorist herdsmen (nomadic militants). A herdsman is a herdsman and can never be a terrorist. If herdsmen had been found to attack any community at any point in time, such herdsmen belong to the class of terrorist herdsmen who merely hide under the guise of being herdsmen to carry out their nefarious activities.Why is it that the problem of Fulani herdsmen has suddenly become a national headache following the success recorded against Boko Haram by the Joint Task Force of the Nigeria Army? This should be food for thought for every Nigerian.

     

  • 12 Nimbo community herdsmen victims for burial

    12 Nimbo community herdsmen victims for burial

    All is set for the burial this weekend for 12 of those killed by herdsmen in Nimbo in Uzo-Uwani Local Council of Enugu State last April 25.

    Parish priest of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Nimbo Rev. Fr. Joseph Obetta Okeke made this known to visiting coalition of non-governmental organisa-tions (NGOs) from Enugu led by Fr. Ambrose Ekereku of the Carmelite Prisoners’ Interest Organization (CAPIO).

    Although, he was not sure of the number, he said at least 12 bodies are awaiting burial. Others which were badly mutilated had already been buried.

    The cleric, who suffered mild stroke following the herdsmen attack, recounted how he smashed his car while rushing himself to hospital.

    “My blood pressure was so high that I did not know when I hit a tree on my way to the hospital,” he said.

    In the coalition were Women Aid Collective (WACOL), Juliet Ibekaku Hope Project, Women in Peace Network (WIPNET), National Council of Women Society (NCWS), National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ).

    The visiting NGOs donated various foodstuffs and one million naira to the devastated people of Nimbo.

    The leader of the team, Ekereku called on the state governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to urgently rebuild Nimbo community. Ekereku also urged government to pay more attention to the development of rural areas.

    He said: “It is evident that life in rural areas has remained rustic where the inhabitants lack even the most basic of amenities while those in the metropolis have a surfeit of such amenities. That situation has become untenable considering the environmental risks the inhabitants of the rural areas are exposed to.

    “The government should embark on extensive agricultural activities in Nimbo which is an agrarian community rather than abandoning the people to an agrarian subsistence existence.

    “Government’s failure to exploit the agricultural potentials of the community is akin to abandoning the people to the devilish whims of the herdsmen who are attracted to the lush grass in the area.

    “A stronger government presence in Nimbo and other communities in the council will attract investors in the agriculture sector.”

    According to Ekereku, such presence would definitely keep the herdsmen away.

    And at the palace of the traditional ruler of Nimbo, Igwe John Akor, the NGOs condoled with the community over the loss of lives and property during the mayhem.

    The traditional ruler thanked the group for the visit and donations, saying government and other organisations were doing their best to rehabilitate the people. He equally urged the government to come and make use of the large expanse of land the community is endowed with.

    “If government could heed to this advise by building institutions like Agricultural institutions in these lands, the Fulani will not have access to roam their cows anyhow”, he said.

     

  • Herdsmen, farmers crises: time bomb waiting to explode

    Herdsmen, farmers crises: time bomb waiting to explode

    Things are no longer at ease in Oyo State because of herdsmen attacks. There are fears that if not checked, they may lead to clashes between herdsmen and farmers.

    About  eight villages and settlers in Ilora Farm Settlement, Afijio Local Government Area of the state, have declared war on the cattle rearers. The villages are Oluwatedo, Temidire, Idode, Kaye, Fitila, Isale-Awon` and Ekefa.  The angry-looking villagers who are peasant farmers narrated how they lost millions of naira to malicious damages done to their farm produce by herdsmen.

    Spokespersons for the villagers Sunday Adeladan and Jacob Ayoola said invasion of their farmlands by the cattle rearers started late last year, noting that efforts to check the criminal acts were often met with violent attacks by the cattle rearers.

    “Villagers from each of the communities planted cassava, maize and yams on about 50 acres of farmland each, but were unable to harvest five ridges because  the Bororo rearers’ cattle  had eaten up all the crops.

    “Whenever we contacted them on the damages and the need for compensation, they would draw out their sharp daggers and cork their double-barrel guns in readiness for attack,” Mr Adeladan said.

    Adeladan and Ayoola added that they  were owing about N20 million as loans, which they could not pay back because “there is no means of doing so. “Our means of livelihood have been damaged and eaten up by cows; we have no other means of sustenance.  Our families are dying of hunger, nothing for us to eat, let alone allowing our children to go to schools.

    “No money to buy text books, sandals, not to mention uniforms. It is as serious as that. Failure to comply with the ultimatum may invoke anger and violent reactions from us because a hungry person is a mad person. Authorities concerned must intervene now before it is too late,” they said

    Similarly, Chairman, Ilora Farm Settlers Association, Alhaji Azeez Giwa, disclosed that “over 8,009 acres of farmland were eaten up and destroyed by the cows”.

    It was gathered that following the protracted crises, a committee was constituted in each of the 33 local governments. The committee is to be headed by council chairmen, while a Divisional Police Officer will serve as the secretary.

    Other members include heads and representatives of the communities and representatives of the cattle rearers. What do you expect from us when our source of existence is threatened? The encroachment on grazing fields and routes by farmers is a call to war,” Abdullahi Sadeeq, a Fulani herdsman, said in an interview in Saki town.

    Critics have, however, called for the law enforcement agencies to check the proliferation of small arm and light weapons. A legal practitioner, Mr Wale Adeoye, has suggested that cattle routes and grazing reserves should be “phased out” to lay emphasis on ranching. Adeoye also identified cattle rustling as a disincentive to ranching and called for “better policing”.

    “State governments which have large livestock population should maintain grazing reserves. The three-tier government should equally embark on a contentious “modernisation programme” in which nomadic herdsmen will be integrated into settled communities based on established cattle ranches with fodder development technologies, including abattoirs, processors and other businesses on the livestock value chain.

    “The integrated development programme should be undertaken and wrapped up within a period of five  to 10 years after which such settlements should have become self-sustaining with the full integration of the nomadic herdsmen community into modern Nigeria political economy.”

    He also advocated that traditional institutions should be primarily responsible for conflict resolution between herdsmen and farmers, and also their respective associations. “The farmers would want their crops to be protected, while the cattleman will also want their cattle to feed. So the government should fashion out a peaceful means to end the crisis.”