ICG Report Claims 1,800 Deaths From Farmers/Herders Clashes – Speaker

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr Abbas Tajudden has expressed concern over a report by the International Crisis Group, which revealed that clashes between herders and farmers have resulted in over 1,800 deaths and the displacement of 2.5 million people.

Dr Abbas stated this in Abuja at a stakeholders’ forum on addressing the impact of climate change on farmer-herder clashes in Nigeria, organised by the office of the Deputy Chairman, House Committee Environment.

The Speaker who was representated by Dickson Takighir noted that climate change is a significant factor exacerbating these conflicts.

He stressed the need to adopt global trends in agriculture and move away from outdated herding and farming methods.

Acknowledging that numerous efforts by the federal and state
Governments have yielded limited success, the Speaker praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s initiative to create a Federal Ministry on Livestock, aimed at providing a coordinated federal approach to animal husbandry.

He also called for a nationally acceptable direction toward international best practices in the cattle industry.

“Both farmers and herders are now competing for fewer resources, with distorted rainfall patterns caused by climate change leading to desertification”.

“In search of greener pastures, herders have continued to migrate into farming communities.”

“Countries that excel in the cattle business also perform well in various farm crops. These nations offer us templates on how to succeed in these industries without the crises we routinely face here”.

“Statistics suggest that ranching is the way forward. The successes and profits seen in countries that ranch cattle make our continued reliance on nomadic husbandry questionable”.

“However, transitioning from nomadic herding to ranching poses challenges, including cultural attachment, ignorance, lack of capital, political will, and national legislation. We need to chart a nationally acceptable direction toward international best practices in the cattle industry.”

Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Environment, Terseer Ugbor, expressed deep concern over impact of climate change on West Africa.

He highlighted how rising temperatures and erratic rainfall are causing desertification in the Sahel region, forcing herders to migrate southward and leading to violence with farmers in North Central Nigeria.

He emphasized the need for comprehensive solutions to address the crisis, including support for displaced persons, restoration of degraded lands, and peacebuilding initiatives.

Ugbor called on stakeholders to support and contribute to this climate mitigation and adaptation initiative for Nigeria’s stability and peaceful coexistence.

Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Ishaq Salako emphasized the need for synergy between the legislature and executive to address the challenge, advocating for a multifaceted and collaborative approach.

Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Utsev, represented by a Director, Engineer Ngozi Agbowo, acknowledged the far-reaching effects of climate change and called for more proactive measures to address the situation.

Oduyemi Odumade, Edited By Shakirat Alabi