Killings associated with herdsmen and farmers is not a new thing. However each time the killings take place, Nigerians from all works of life understandably get agitated. People and government proffer solutions but after the tense moment, nothing is heard again till another killing takes place. Suggestions have been made by officials of the current and previous governments yet in the end, nothing new is done. We understand that reforms take time and entails change of way of doing things previously, yet it appears government officials have been lethargic in responding to some of the issues.
The latest killings have presented another opportunity to look at this matter in a dispassionate manner. Yes lives have been lost, however, to bring justice to killers is a role security agencies must perform. On the part of government, it is to ensure that killers are punished for their crimes, but also, victims deserve their compensation. Communities ravaged by destruction and arson as a result deserve to be rebuilt by the government. Having said that, the remote causes of this regular impasse, killings are what must now be addressed.
Government has put forward the โcattle colony” idea, but just like its suggestion about ranching and importing grass, etc, citizens have tried to shut it down without any offer of panacea whatsoever. The only scintilla of idea is that which says, herding is a private business as such herders must go and figure out how to ranch and do it by themselves, after all other people fund their own businesses too. Other critics also say that this is an opportunity that the Federal Government has been seeking to effectuate land grabbing for Fulanis. Nothing could be further from the truth!
We understand that we are in a tense political system with politicians jostling for political office and as such ready to swear any policy in other to make the ruling party look bad. But there are times we must unite as a country to solve an existential problem. The herdsmen, farmers conflict is a major problem and all hands must be on deck to solve the problem. If the tears we shed for the victims of these killings are true, then we must begin to think through government’s response to the carnage.
In the last count, 16 of the 36 states have signified intention to be part of the cattle colonies initiative of the Federal Government. This is one of the major policies that the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Audu Ogbe has envisioned. It may not be the very best, but this policy if well implemented can bring to an end incidences of herdsmen/farmers killings to and end, permanently. Thankfully, more states are expected to join, according to Dr. Olukayode Oyedele, Special Assistant to Agriculture Minister, we are aware that Kogi state has indicated interest in pioneering this initiative.
Ogbeh, who has been holding series of meetings with stakeholders on the project, defined the ‘colony’ as โa place where many owners of cattle can co-exist, be fed well, because we can make their feeds; they can get good water to drink, cows drink a lot of water and we can give them green fodder. Government, according to him, will provide veterinary services for the animals and โprotect the cows against rustlers.โ
โBy a special design, we have to make sure that rustlers can’t cross into the ranches and steal cows and walk away,โ he said. Each colony will comprise between 20 and 40 co-located ranches. The scheme is part of the strategy to check the incessant clashes between farmers and pastoralists whose animals often stray into cultivated farms and destroy crops. Such clashes have claimed hundreds of lives across the country, setting communities and communities and endangering national security.
Opposition elements should allow this policy set out first. We can adjust as we go by. Staying in one place not making any positive contribution but expecting the killings to stop is not a desirable strategy. Calling out the Fulani and tarring them in dark brushes is also not a solution. We are all Nigerians and thus should thread softly how we profile one and each other. We support all efforts by government to modernise cattle farming. Crop farmers get support, there is no reason cattle farmers should not even if it is just to help secure land, build ranches and let the herders pay for staying they. That way, taxes can best be calculated. Also, our cattle can improve on beef and sundry production of other by-products.
