Mansur-Dan-Ali Defence Minister
Mansur-Dan-Ali Defence Minister
Defence Minister Receives Report on Farmers-Herders
Crisis
It should be recalled that on 11 of September 2018 I inaugurated
Farmers-Herders Crisis committee to among other things unravel the
reason behind the constant clash between pastoralists and farmers
in Nigeria.
I am happy after 6 month of extensive work the committee has
submitted its report. I am not unaware of some of the challenges
and difficulties you experienced in some of the areas you
visited.
Conflict between farmers and herders has been a common feature
due to economic livelihood for control of resources in a given area
and political reasons.
Farmer-herder differences are not only seen as resources conflict
but sometimes represented as ethnic conflict involving the two
groups.
Since Farmers/Herders groups have very different values,
customs, physical and cultural characteristics, disputes between
them are frequently characterized with violent conflicts resulting
to loss of precious lives and properties.
As you are aware the violent conflicts between nomadic herders
and agrarian communities in Nigeria have escalated in recent years
and are threatening our nation’ security and political
stability.
These clashes are becoming potentially dangerous as the Boko
Haram insurgency in the north east and the Lake Chad region.
Those conflicts were historical conflicts though recently they
assumed more dangerous dimensions. Previous response to address the
crisis at the Federal, States and Local Governments levels has been
poor.
The present administration under the able leadership of
President Muhammadu Buhari’s has taken immediate steps to address
the problem.
Efforts were made by the government to reform livestock
management practices, address negative environmental trends and
curb cross-border movements of both cattle rustlers and armed
herders.
It is also important to mention here that technological and
economic changes are key to addressing some of the Farmers/Herders
violent conflicts.
Our Judicial system should also be strengthening to handle those
cases from both farmers and Herders who take law into their own
hands.
Finally I want to thank the Chairman and members of the
committee for a job well done. I also want to assure Nigerians that
the Federal Government will study the report with a view of
adopting its recommendations that will bring a lasting solution to
the historical farmers/ herders conflict in Nigeria.
Mansur Dan-Ali
Minister of Defence