-Uchechukwu Okoroafor,Abuja
Farmers and herdsmen in the South-West, on Saturday, April 20, 2024 signed a peace pact to end clashes between the two warring groups and promote food security for the benefit of all. Present at the signing ceremony was the daughter of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Iyaloja General, Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, which gives indication that pact has presidential approval.
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The Coordinator of Commodities Farmers Organisation in the South-West, Segun Dasaolu, and the President of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Othman Ngelzarma, signed the peace pact on behalf of the two groups at a Commodities Farmers Organisation Summit, held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State capital.
The theme of the summit is ‘Sustainable Food Production in South-West Nigeria: The Way Forward.’
Speaking separately while signing the agreement, Dasaolu and Ngelzarma said the step became necessary to ensure that peace reigns in the zone in particular and Nigeria at large. Dasaolu said, “The summit focuses on ensuring that the South-West farmers return to the farm, and also to promote food security in the country. This summit brings together farmers and herders across the six states in this region. This is to allow them to proffer solutions to challenges faced by both groups and the need for the government to carry us along in providing support, policy formulation, and assistance.
“We have signed the peace pact to put a stop to farmers/herders clashes. The first step we are going to take is to identify who are genuine herders in the South-West. We have also agreed together to collect or collate data in that regard.”
Also, the President of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Ngelzarma, said, “Nothing works when there is no peace. So, we will work with farmers to promote food security in Nigeria. We will also work in collaboration with them to fish out kidnappers in the South-West zone in particular and Nigeria in general.”
A former Governor of Oyo State and the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Chief Rashidi Ladoja, and the Iyaloja General, who is also the daughter of President Bola Tinubu, Folashade Tinubu-Ojo were among notable Nigerians who witnessed the signing of a peace pact.
In recent years, Nigeria has grappled with escalating violence and conflicts arising from clashes between farmers and Fulani herdsmen. The impact of these clashes has been devastating, with communities displaced, lives lost, and farmlands destroyed.
The situation has reached such alarming proportions that some regions, like the South West, have resorted to signing peace pacts with herdsmen groups in a bid to quell the violence and restore normalcy.
The peace pact signed between farmers and Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria in the South-West may seem like a temporary solution to a deep-rooted problem, but it underscores a more urgent need for comprehensive and sustainable measures to address the underlying issues fueling these conflicts.
The root cause of these conflicts lies in the longstanding practice of open grazing by Fulani herdsmen, which often leads to destruction of farmlands and triggers violent confrontations with farmers.
The time has come for states across Nigeria to take bold and decisive steps to protect farmers and bring an end to this cycle of violence. One crucial step towards resolving this issue is the establishment of anti-open grazing laws in affected states. Such laws would prohibit the indiscriminate grazing of cattle on farmlands and mandate herdsmen to adopt modern ranching practices.
Ranching, widely adopted in other parts of the world, not only ensures the welfare of livestock but also prevents conflicts with farmers by confining cattle to designated areas. States must also prioritize the strict enforcement of these laws, ensuring that violators face consequences. This includes the identification and registration of genuine herders, as proposed in the peace pact, to distinguish them from criminal elements using cattle grazing as a cover for nefarious activities.
The dangers of succumbing to the violence perpetrated by herdsmen are manifold. It not only threatens food security by disrupting agricultural activities but also undermines social cohesion and stability in affected communities.
The Global Terrorism Index’s classification of Fulani herdsmen as one of the deadliest terrorist groups in the world in 2014 underscores the gravity of the situation. The recent peace pact in the South West, while a commendable effort towards reconciliation, should not serve as a substitute for concrete actions to address the root causes of the conflicts.
Sustainable peace can only be achieved through proactive measures that prioritize the safety and livelihoods of farmers while promoting responsible livestock management.
Furthermore, the collaboration between farmers and herders to combat kidnappings, as mentioned in the peace pact, highlights the potential for mutual cooperation in addressing broader security challenges.
However, security agencies must play a central role in ensuring that these efforts yield tangible results and contribute to restoring peace and stability in the region.
In conclusion, the time for decisive action is now. States must emulate the example of those who have enacted anti-open grazing laws and rigorously enforce these measures. By prioritizing peace, security, and sustainable agriculture, Nigeria can pave the way towards lasting solutions that safeguard the interests of all its citizens and promote a future of harmony and prosperity.