How Herdsmen, Farmers Clash Can Be Averted By Governor Nyako

Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa has suggested ways of ending the incessant clashes between herdsmen and farmers in various parts of Nigeria.

Clashes between Fulani herdsmen who move around various states with their cattle and local farmers has led to the death of hundreds of people in various states including Benue, Plateau, Kaduna, Niger, Jigawa, and others.

While speaking to journalists in Yola on Saturday, Mr. Nyako said one of the ways to avoid such clashes was to ensure that whenever a herd destroys crops, the owner of the herd should pay for the crop destroyed after evaluation by relevant authorities, instead of resorting to violence.

He also declared support for the Federal Government’s proposal to create additional grazing reserves.

Mr. Nyako said grazing reserves and ranching were in line with standard best practice that ensured maximum benefit to nomads.

“Moving around with cattle in search of pasture is old fashion. You have to fence your cattle for security and better returns as obtained in developed countries.

“In USA for instance, this policy was introduced since 1872”, Mr. Nyako said.

The governor urged state governments to ensure the protection of existing grazing reserves in their states against encroachment; by fencing them and providing dams or boreholes and other facilities.

He stressed the need for dialogue in resolving the problem between herdsmen and farmers.

(NAN)