HERDSMEN VERSUS FARMERS: THE REAL ISSUE AND THE WAY FORWARD

                                            CALLISTUS, Agozie Ifedi.

                                            callistusifedi@gmail.com

                                            09024338386text only).  visit my blog www.callistusifedi.blogspot.com

Introduction

For years, different stories, theories and scenarios have been told, propounded and created with regards to the problem of Herdsmen and farmers all over Nigeria; so much that it has become attracted the international community. They leave the community they have visited with their arms in disarray, mourning and weeping. Even in the face of the sorrowful and pitiable state they leave the community in, the government seems not to care. While the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Secretary to the Federal Government and other personnel (of course with the exclusion of President Buhari) has maintained the stand that the Herdsmen are immigrants from outside Nigeria and not of Fulani tribe, some others like Femi Fani-Kayode, Chief Olu Falae and a larger extent of farmers (my area inclusive) are of the view that these rampaging herdsmen are of Fulani ancestry. This piece looks into the activities of the herdsmen in Nigeria, decries these activities and then  suggests solutions that may check the evil from running into bigger mess.

The Issues:

One can imagine the pains of a farmer who, having concluded all pre-farming and post-farming processes, awaits the time of harvest only to be shocked by the action of the denizens of the underworld called herdsmen, who lead their cattle into the farmlands with a singular purpose of destruction. It is very saddening that one's weeks of labour come crashing in less than 30 minutes. It is worthy of note that the soles of the feet of these animals as they move are more than enough to wreck havoc on farmlands and more so, due to the farming system in some areas, especially where there are only but foot-paths leading to and inside the farms, it is imperative that the cattle, must have to mash the crops, considering their numbers and the just one or two herdsmen, who got their back.

But then what is the real issue? Why the attacks in the first place? There appears not to be a definite answer in this regard. There are claims and counter claims arising from different groups. Thus the farmers argue that the cattle damage their crops. A farmer's hope thus dashed, he eats agony for meals and then may resort to self help either by slaughtering the cows or poisoning them as he sees these as the only solution that he has in the face of such senseless and wanton destruction of the crops he sweated upon to plant. Just days ago, an Hausa farmer posted pictures of his farm that was destroyed by cattle. His questioned the rationale behind terming youths lazy. The same rationale that would ask the youths to go back to the farms, but then only for cattle to do what they do best – destroy!

But then the Fulani herdsmen argue that they are being attacked by the community and that their cattle have been stolen on a countless number of times. They contend that they have made complaints to relevant authorities but to no avail.  To this effect, they take up arms in defense of themselves. But then it becomes unfortunate that many lives have been lost in this debacle.

In order to understand the evil and the extent to which these herdsmen have gone, we need to understand their place in the world. Thus the global Terrorism index in 2015 ranked Fulani militants the fourth deadliest militant group in the world. And according to Institute for Economics and peace, the Fulani militants killed about 63 persons in 2013, about 1,229 people in 2014. Of course these killings continued even this year. And their most recent attacks this year is that of Ossissa Community in Ndokwa east Local government Area in Delta State, and those of Ugondo, Turan and Gabo Nenzev of Logo Local government Area in Benue State. We are also aware of their attacks in Enugu state.

WHY DOES THE ATTACK PREVAIL?

It is then not surprising why these attacks keep increasing by day and unabated. It is then very important that we list some factors which contribute to these attacks. First is the lackadaisical attitude of the security personnel. They do not take these attacks seriously. This is confirmed by the late response from them. We are not unaware of the allegation trailing Agatu attack, where the police got Intel of the situation but because their hands were tied by some power blocs above, they couldn’t foist the attack.  Another factor is the indifferent attitude of the government. They have failed to put preventive but pragmatic measures to check these excessive attacks. Thus this attitude exposes the Nigerian government, as insensitive, who has interest only in repairing the damages rather than prevention. Moreover we see ethnicity as another factor that keep this anomaly unchecked. Thus, if the federal government decides to take harsh action against these herdsmen, you will not be surprised to see some elders from Fulani extraction condemning the government. Worse still, some of them may go to the extent of wrongly advising the president, telling him that things are not really as bad as the media paints it. Furthermore, we see impunity as another factor. The fact that the government has seeming soft spot for them is enough encouragement. The herdsmen always believe that they would go unpunished after all, that their ‘Ogas-at-the-top’; the real owners of the cattle got their backs. Finally we see bad orientation of the Fulani herdsmen as a factor. They have this mind-set that their cattle worth more than the lives of men. Thus, they go extra-mile to secure them.

It is discovered that these herdsmen use sophisticated weapons. And not just that they kill, they also kidnap. The recent attacks on Catholic priests and different other reported and unreported attacks on innocent citizens without provocation has raised so many ethical and political issues.

1. The issue of the real identity of the herdsmen. The question is, if these men are not Fulani herdsmen, who are they? While the farmers and majority of other stakeholders have taken the stand that these marauders are of Fulani extraction.
2. The issue of indifference of the government.  It is not clear if these herdsmen are Fulanis, or Boko Haram or even foreign immigrants. Whichever, why has the government of the day not done anything to arrest these illegal immigrants and elements of Boko Haram? The President and the Presidency seem indifferent to this debacle. The press releases of the President, most especially in that of 1st October, the only mention of herdsmen was in the paragraph where he just subtly mentioned "herdsmen vs farmers" while he cast endless aspersions on the Niger Delta militants. Why has the President not made a nationwide broadcast condemning the actions and activities of the herdsmen?

3. The issues of acquisition of arms. One wonders from where the herdsmen get the sophisticated weapons? Are there some hidden agenda or conspiracies hidden from the glare of the public?

4. The issue of misplaced value. Is the life of cattle more important than that of a Nigerian? Apart from these ethical and political dimensions listed above, there is also economic dimension in terms of the effects of the unchecked attacks of the Fulani herdsmen. They include Loss of investors, Reduction of crop yield, Loss of lives and properties, and Destruction of buildings

SUGGESTIONS

In order to find lasting solution to this situation, this piece suggests a few ways out of this problem. Firstly, this piece agrees with much suggested view on the establishment of cattle ranches across the northern part of the country as this will put paid the senseless killings of innocent people in cold blood and the destruction of farmlands.

Secondly, the government has to firstly, in a clear and strong worded national broadcast condemn the actions of these herdsmen and then go extra miles in arresting the herdsmen and then, unmasking the true identities of the Cattle owners, and either prosecute them or depot them (assuming it is true that they are not Nigerians).

Thirdly, there is need for the government to secure the border. This comes on the heels of the allegation that the perpetrators aren’t Nigerians. if this is the case, the government should fasten their belt and tighten up the border policy against the foreigners who come to Nigeria to kill and destroy.

Furthermore, there is need to recreate or deconstruct the minds of these herdsmen. They should be taught that life is sacred and that no amount of love they have for their cows would surpass the value in human person.

Moreover, there should be adequate laws that will deter the encroaching on farmlands by herdsmen. This in connection with the first suggestion would go a long way in putting these attacks to a dead end.

Finally and most importantly, there is need for negotiation between host community and Fulani herdsmen. This meeting will establish working modalities that would guide the affairs of both the herdsmen and the communities they settle.

If these suggestions are seriously considered by government and relevant bodies, we believe that things will work out for the better. God bless Nigeria!

Callistus Writes from Ukpo.

5th October, 2016.