Ending farmers/herdsmen’s clashes

T HE issue of Fulani herdsmen has raged in the polity for some time. The herdsmen are now the fourth deadliest group in the world, according to the United Nations. Following the menace of the herdsmen in different parts of the country, some state governments have made laws regulating the movement of cattle and cattlemen in their domains. This is no doubt targeted at reducing, if not completely eliminating, the constant friction between the herdsmen and those who grow the nation’s food. In that way, food security can be achieved.

During the 2014 National Conference organised by the immediate past administration, several recommendations were made on cattle rearing in the country. I believe that those suggestions need to be implemented if the nation is truly desirous of ending the herdsmen’s menace permanently. Recently, the Nigerian Army gave the cheering news that it would start cattle ranching within its brigades and formations. This is no doubt the way to go. In fact, the Army’s decision is in tandem with the recommendations of the epochal conference in which Nigeria’s elder statesmen proffered viable solutions to the nation’s perennial problems.

It should be fairly obvious that unless and until the modern cattle ranching method is embraced by pastoralists, farmers/herdsmen’s clashes will continue unabated. That is why the National Assembly must ensure that a bill is passed into law adopting the resolutions of the 2014 Conference with regard to cattle rearing in the country.

Oluwafunke Oni

Ibadan