“We don’t have a government. The government is in support of Fulanis and that’s why they have the effrontery to come into someone’s farm to do whatever they feel. I would be a liar if I say we have a president in this country. – Samson Yakubu (Farmer)
You know when a farmer labors and comes to find that all his farm produce has been destroyed by cows, It demoralizes one to find out all the effort put together has been destroyed to Zero level. – Wale Bakare (Nigerian)
Farmer/herder clashes in Nigeria has been going on for a while as pastoralists continue to migrate in search of greener pastures for their cattle. This has over time evolved into the destruction of farm produce, cattle rustling, and consequently, loss of lives.
The clashes have largely been limited to the rural areas in the country, but over time, it has trickled down to the suburban regions, the Federal Capital Territory inclusive.
The crisis has led to food insecurity as farmers who are the primary producers have been discouraged from going to their farms owing to the acts of violence by armed herders, whose cattle destroy their crops.
On Tuesday, the 16th of March, 2021, Mr. Yakubu Samson, whose farm is located in the Central Business District of the FCT, Abuja, was attacked by 3 “Fulani” herders on his farm when he questioned the presence of their cattle destroying his farm produce.
Mr. Samson, a former military personnel who retired in the late 90s, has been the custodian of the 400 by 400 square meter land owned by Late Gen. Sani Abacha for the past 24 years. He narrated how the herders continued to bring their cattle on his farm to destroy his source of livelihood.
He said; “They brought all their cattle as they were sitting comfortably drinking and smoking on my farm. I questioned their actions and their response was that this time around we are ready for you. I chased after them, you can see their footprint. I blocked and collected three cutlasses as one of them said to me that if I dare come closer he will kill me. Then I said no problem.
As I was talking to one of them suddenly I was hit with a stick from behind by another who thought I was going to fall down. They were 3 in number…they are the Fulanis who rear cattle.”
Mrs. Yemi, an eyewitness also spoke about the level of destruction wreaked on Mr. Samson’s farm. She says this has hindered him from planting vegetables and yams for fear of destruction usually caused by the cattle.
She said; “Yesterday the cows were destroying the farm produce of the man and he was attacked with their stick when he questioned their actions. This is the third time he has been attacked. He was attacked twice last year and once this year. He plants vegetables, maize, yam which almost everyone patronizes him for but for 2 years now, we are unable to buy as he refuses to plant for the fear of the known.”
Another eyewitness Mr. Wale Bakare also expressed his sympathy towards the victim, advising the government to look inwards and put an end to this menace.
He said; “Are there any means we can use to tackle the problem? The answer should be directed to the government. We are either farmers or have a relative that is a farmer. I mean to say we can’t have sustainability without the help of farmers, and as such, they are as important as herders in the country. 20 years back we didn’t witness this kind of action from Fulani herders. But within 2 to 3 years the clash became rampant in practically every part of the country. So the government should intervene before these farmers/herders clashes get out of hand.”
As food insecurity looms in the country, experts continue to urge the Federal government to intervene in the crisis between the farmers and herders before it gets out of hand.
