As part of a new national policy to address the long-standing farmer-herder dispute, President Bola Tinubu has urged herdsmen to give up all illegal weapons, stop open grazing, and switch to ranching.
The President said in a statement on Wednesday that the Federal Government is giving priority to long-term solutions to the violent conflicts between farming communities and herders, which have exacerbated instability in a number of northern and central states.
The warning coincides with a recent spike in school kidnappings in Niger, Kebbi, and other parts of the nation, as well as continuous farmer-herder unrest in the North Central region that has claimed many lives in recent months.
“Ranching is now the path forward for sustainable livestock farming and national harmony,” Tinubu said.
Highlighting the establishment of the Ministry of Livestock as a crucial component of the administration’s long-term plan, Tinubu urged herder associations to work with the ministry, modernise livestock production, and embrace ranch-based operations.
He also called on mosques and churches, particularly in vulnerable areas, to coordinate with security agencies to ensure protection during prayers and gatherings.
Tinubu pointed out that, especially in the Middle Belt, conflicts between farmers and herders have continuously contributed to instability, ranging from land disputes to violent altercations.
He stated that the new livestock policy seeks to reduce conflicts over land usage while safeguarding farmers and herders.
In order to facilitate this shift, Tinubu continued, the federal government will cooperate with state governments to build frameworks for ranch establishment and put policies in place to stop the flow of illicit weapons.
The government promised people sufficient safety in a statement made by Fred Itua, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo.
In reaction to a widely shared video that purportedly showed the bandit endangering the villages surrounding Ekpoma and other places, the governor called a high-level security meeting.
Following “high-level, intelligence-driven surveillance,” the Edo State Special Security Squad recently detained two alleged kidnappers, Anthony Fedigha Ebimienwei and Luke Disemoh, in the Egbai Community, Ovia North-East LGA.
The state authorities cautioned against disseminating false information or unreliable content and advised residents to maintain composure, alertness, and cooperation. The administration’s dedication to protecting locals, commuters, and investors was reiterated by Governor Okpebholo.
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