FCT herders-farmers crisis exaggerated – MACBAN

Alhaji Ibrahim Ciroma, Chairman of the Miyyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in the Gwagwalada Area Council, claims that the recent conflict between farmers and herders in the Gurfata community was “over-exaggerated.”  The incident reportedly led to three deaths and injuries to seven herders. According to Ciroma, who spoke with Abuja Metro, the […]

Alhaji Ibrahim Ciroma, Chairman of the Miyyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in the Gwagwalada Area Council, claims that the recent conflict between farmers and herders in the Gurfata community was “over-exaggerated.” 

The incident reportedly led to three deaths and injuries to seven herders.

According to Ciroma, who spoke with Abuja Metro, the public and security agencies were misinformed about the cause of the crisis, which also affected the Ledi community. 

He stated that the conflict began as a minor disagreement over a footpath between a herder, Shuaibu Adamu, and a farmer, the late Dahiru Yakubu.

Ciroma explained that a misunderstanding arose when Adamu, who was not with his cows, tried to walk through Yakubu’s farm. When Yakubu tried to stop him, Adamu insisted on passing. 

Ciroma alleged that Yakubu then hit Adamu on the head with a hoe, and Adamu retaliated with a stick, leading to an altercation.

The MACBAN chairman further claimed the clash escalated when Yakubu’s elder brother, a medical professional, was called to treat the injured herder.

He said the brother allegedly arrived at the camp, attacked another herder with a large stick, and a serious confrontation ensued.

“It was during that process that the crisis escalated, leading to the loss of two farmers’ lives and seven herders with bullet injuries after some vigilantes mobilized from various villages to attack the herders at the camp,” he said.

Ciroma recounted that when he and other MACBAN executives arrived at the scene, they found that over 32 houses belonging to herders had been burned down.

 He said the council chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Jibrin Giri, convened a security meeting and asked security agencies to investigate the incident.

Ciroma expressed regret over the conflict, noting that herders and farmers in Gurfata had coexisted peacefully for years. 

He appealed to both groups to continue living in peace and to channel their grievances to community leaders for mediation.