Why Clashes Between Herdsmen and Farmers Must Stop

Addressing the intractable herders-farmers clashes in the country has become pertinent, and there is a sense of urgency to do so, if we care to look at recent reports revealing human and economic losses caused by the crises.

A recent report funded by the United Kingdom Agency for International Development (UKAID) indicates that 6, 500 people were killed during 850 violent clashes between herdsmen and farmers in Benue, Plateau, Nasarawa and Kaduna states from 2010 to April 2015 alone. It also put economic losses during the period at about N350 million.

The report attributed the lingering crises to access to land, identity problem and competition for limited resources. According to the report, the country stands to gain up to N2.3 trillion in total macro-economic progress if there is enduring peace between farmers and pastoralists in these four states alone.

Major markets where tonnes of agricultural products were sold in Taraba State like Dan Anacha and Sabon Gida have been razed down in crises since 2012. Repeated attacks on farming communities in Benue, Taraba, Nasarawa, Plateau and recently, Enugu have rendered thousands homeless and have sparked a hate campaign against the alleged suspects.

Sadly, it has been observed over the years that such deadly attacks occur when the rains are setting in, thereby displacing farmers and hampering farming activities. In view of this, it has become imperative for government to hasten efforts to find a lasting remedy to the lingering bloody conflict.

A retrospective view shows that, once upon a time, the herders carried only staff to control their cattle and probably machete to serve their need while in the wilderness, creating suspicious whether they are the normal herdsmen. The herders-farmers conflicts could degenerate into crises that may be extremely difficult to control, if the appropriate security measures are not taken.

The federal government's posture to collaborate with the states in establishing grazing reserves may not be the permanent solution to the crisis. Reports indicate that there are over 400 of such reserves which the federal government is poised to re-establish, and a Grazing Commission Bill is before the National Assembly.

In this regard, one of the recommendations of the 2014 National Conference that grazing routes should be scraped for ranches to be established should be explored. In addition, government could revisit the National Aforestation Initiative of 2010 and the Great Green Wall project of 2013, where a total of N15 billion was earmarked from the National Ecological Fund to tackle desertification which is said to be responsible for the movement of herdsmen.

But before then, interim measures must be put in place to stop the killing of farmers/herders with impunity. In some states for instance, the Operation Safe Haven has banned the movement of cattle and herdsmen after 7pm. The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association has embraced the initiative which it believes will restore the fragile peace in the affected areas. Other parts facing the problem should replicate the initiative. Everyone must rise to tackle the problem which may affect the whole country.