Grazing reserves: Solution to farmers/herders clashes

The herdsmen/farmers clashes have become recurring phenomenon defied any lasting solution in the country. Within the period under review, there is reported cases of attack and reprisals attack between the two warring faction resulting in loss of lives and properties. Although, the ugly incident is virtually affecting every part of the country, it has become […]

The herdsmen/farmers clashes have become recurring phenomenon defied any lasting solution in the country. Within the period under review, there is reported cases of attack and reprisals attack between the two warring faction resulting in loss of lives and properties. Although, the ugly incident is virtually affecting every part of the country, it has become more violent and rampant in the south-South and South-east states. Also, caught in the cobwebs of violence is Benue state. The intractable crises in the state are quite disturbing and required prompt action to nip it in the bud. If the recent interview granted by the governor of the state, Samuel Orthom, is anything to go by, the conspicuous pockets of crises have reached crescendo or peak and need quick redress. He decried frequent attack in the rural areas by the suspected Fulani herdsmen and pleaded with the Federal government to deploy more troops to contain it.
The history of herdsmen/farmers crises in Nigeria is as old as the country itself. The Fulani are migrants by nature, wandering from one region to another in search of greener pasture. In the process, either deliberately or otherwise, they encroached into farms and damaged the crops. Their action attracted retaliation by the farmers or the communities affected. Before you know, the crisis would escalate and the victims start counting their losses. Then, the blame game ensues with accusing fingers point at each other.
With the proposed bill before the national assembly for the establishment of grazing reserved, coupled with funds budgeted for the programme this year, there is ray of hope that, peace would be restored in the troubled areas very soon. The grazing reserves which will have basic infrastructure such as hospital, school and dam will confine the herders within a particular place and restrict them from movement.    
Unfortunately, in spite of its importance and the problem it intends to address, some people are vehemently opposing the bill. They have continued to whip sentiments and provide flimsy excuses.
Moreover, the intellectual who know the benefit of it are not helping matters. Through their views expressed in the pages of newspapers, they twisted the truth and made the whole issue as a northern problem. To them, grazing reserves should only be established in the northern states. The frightening and alarming dimension with which the crises took in recent times called for greater caution. The crisis goes beyond ethnic, regional or religious difference. It is rather a national impediment that requires collective support. Interestingly, the governors of Benue and Plateau have pledged their support for the initiative. This, indeed, is a welcome development. The effort to establish grazing reserves is aimed at dousing tension and promotes national unity and cohesion. The creation of grazing reserved and livestock routes if succeeded would address the persistent rift between the Fulani herdsmen and farmers.

Ibrahim Mustapha Pambegua, Kaduna state.