Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
26 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2021<br />
How to end farmers/herders’ crises<br />
— YCE, AFENIFERE, AGBEKOYA, HUNTERS<br />
•We’ve lost over 60 members — FARMERS’ ASSOCIATION<br />
By Dayo Johnson, Dapo<br />
Akinrefon, Ola Ajayi,<br />
Rotimi Ojomoyela, Shina<br />
Abubakar & James<br />
Ogunnaike<br />
THE clash between farmers and<br />
herders across the coun-try has<br />
led to sorrow, tears and blood.<br />
Already, tongues are wagging over<br />
the rising conflict between herders<br />
and farmers in Nigeria especially in<br />
the S<strong>out</strong>h-West which is taking a<br />
dangerous dimension if not urgently<br />
nipped in the bud.<br />
There have been repeated calls on<br />
governments, at all levels, to wade<br />
in and calm frayed nerves by finding<br />
a lasting solution before it degenerates<br />
to a level that can no longer be<br />
salvaged.<br />
Unfortunately, the violence between<br />
herders and farmers has<br />
escalated, killing more than 1,300<br />
people since January 2018.<br />
Also, it has been discovered that<br />
three factors have been identified to<br />
aggravate the decades-long conflict.<br />
They include the environmental<br />
degradation in the far north and<br />
encroachment upon grazing<br />
grounds in the Middle Belt: militia<br />
attacks; the poor government response<br />
to distress calls and failure to<br />
punish past perpetrators; and new<br />
laws banning open grazing in some<br />
states.<br />
With the incursion <strong>of</strong> killer herdsmen<br />
into the S<strong>out</strong>h-West, stakeholders<br />
are no longer at ease with these<br />
pastoralists, who have seen the region<br />
as a haven to unleash terror on their<br />
hosts.<br />
S-West govs should enforce<br />
anti-open grazing law<br />
The Director-General <strong>of</strong><br />
Development Agenda for Western<br />
Nigeria, DAWN, Mr. Seye Oyeleye,<br />
proposed the enforcing <strong>of</strong> open grazing<br />
law in the region saying it will<br />
solve the problem <strong>of</strong> incessant<br />
herders/farmers clashes.<br />
Oyelele said: “Our governor<br />
should use the police and Amotekun<br />
to enforce the ban on open grazing.<br />
You can’t make a law and go to bed<br />
expecting that it would be complied<br />
with. Former Governor Ayo Fayose<br />
enforced the law when he was there.<br />
Our governors are serious but to<br />
be seen as serious, they must enforce<br />
the anti-open grazing law.<br />
“Open grazing has been banned<br />
by states in the S<strong>out</strong>h-West and we,<br />
at the DAWN Commission, believe<br />
this is the first step towards ensuring<br />
<strong>security</strong> in our forests.<br />
“Everybody must comply, we don’t<br />
want open grazing. It is the way <strong>of</strong><br />
life <strong>of</strong> some people to graze cows but<br />
that way <strong>of</strong> life is harmful to our own<br />
way <strong>of</strong> life which is agriculture and<br />
it must stop.”<br />
But the Yoruba Council <strong>of</strong> Elders,<br />
YCE; the pan-Yoruba socio-political<br />
organisation, Afenifere; the<br />
Agbekoya Farmers’ Society, and the<br />
Soludero Hunters’ Association,<br />
share different views to the farmers/<br />
herders’ clashes.<br />
There’s no clash but terror<br />
from herders — Afenifere<br />
On his part, Yinka Odumakin,<br />
National Publicity Secretary <strong>of</strong> the<br />
pan-Yoruba socio-political<br />
organisation, Afenifere, insisted that<br />
there is no clash between herders and<br />
farmers but terror from herders.<br />
Odumakin said: “There is no clash<br />
but terror from herders. The way <strong>out</strong><br />
is for government to become governmental<br />
or for the people to fight<br />
back as the Minister <strong>of</strong> Defence has<br />
advised. But enough is enough!"<br />
Govs must ensure<br />
enforcement <strong>of</strong> the law<br />
— Agbekoya<br />
While pr<strong>of</strong>fering solution to the<br />
conflicts, the Agbekoya Farmers’<br />
Society, who spoke through its<br />
National Publicity Secretary, Chief<br />
Olatunji Bandele said: “The S<strong>out</strong>h-<br />
West governors should enact a law<br />
banning open grazing <strong>of</strong> cattle and<br />
ensure the enforcement <strong>of</strong> the law.<br />
“<strong>Nigeria’s</strong> porous land borders<br />
should be properly manned to<br />
prevent illegal foreign Fulani herdsmen<br />
from entering Nigeria and the<br />
S<strong>out</strong>h-West.<br />
Also, erring criminal herdsmen,<br />
bandits and kidnappers should be<br />
prosecuted. The federal and<br />
state governments should conduct<br />
farmers and herdsmen enumeration<br />
and issue identity cards to them.”<br />
Herdsmen should stop<br />
destroying farmlands<br />
— Hunters Association<br />
While speaking with Vanguard in<br />
a telephone interview, the National<br />
President <strong>of</strong> Soludero Hunters' Association,<br />
Oba Wahab Anabi expressed<br />
worry over the pains inflicted<br />
on farmers and their families in the<br />
region.<br />
Anabi said: “In this year alone, they<br />
have killed over 40 people across the<br />
state. People keep calling me to inform<br />
me ab<strong>out</strong> the atrocities <strong>of</strong> these<br />
herders. I don’t know how many<br />
women they have raped. They are<br />
too many.<br />
“We are not <strong>out</strong> to kill Fulani<br />
because they are our brothers. We are<br />
ready to live in peace with them. But,<br />
any Fulani herder caught with<br />
dangerous weapons will be arrested<br />
and handed over to the police.<br />
“Also, those Fulani herders whose<br />
intention is to kill, rape, maim our<br />
people and destroy our farms will be<br />
arrested. Now, we Soludero Hunters’<br />
Association, are in Oke-Ogun<br />
area <strong>of</strong> Oyo State. We are here to<br />
ensure that all those bad eggs among<br />
Fulani herders are fished <strong>out</strong>.<br />
“We promise our people that by<br />
the time we are able to fish <strong>out</strong> these<br />
bandits, they will experience a great<br />
relief.”<br />
When asked how the issue could<br />
be resolved, he simply said the violent<br />
Fulani herders must stop kidnap-<br />
ping, raping women and destroying<br />
their farmlands.<br />
He said: “The only way <strong>out</strong> is for<br />
Fulani herders to stop disturbing the<br />
peace <strong>of</strong> our zone. When they stop<br />
kidnapping people, raping our<br />
women and destroying our means<br />
<strong>of</strong> livelihood which is farming, there<br />
will be peace. But, you don’t expect<br />
us to fold our arms while our promising<br />
men and women are being<br />
hacked down.<br />
"We are ready to live in peace with<br />
those Fulani who are not violent or<br />
armed with dangerous weapons.”<br />
We’ve lost many members<br />
— Farmers’ association<br />
The Chairman, Ondo State Agricultural<br />
Commodities Association,<br />
OSACA, Gbenga Obawoya<br />
expressed worry that no fewer than<br />
FARMERS KILLED BY<br />
HERDSMEN SINCE<br />
JANUARY 2021<br />
OYO — 40<br />
ONDO — 10<br />
OGUN — 15<br />
OSUN — 1<br />
10 farmers have been gruesomely<br />
murdered since January this year by<br />
the herders adding that the herders<br />
have destroyed farmlands worth over<br />
N500m since January this year.<br />
Obawoya said: “Because <strong>of</strong> the<br />
stigma, those who have been raped<br />
kept it to themselves with<strong>out</strong><br />
reporting to the association. But<br />
many wives and daughters <strong>of</strong> farmers<br />
have been raped in their presence<br />
on their farms. It is really a pitiable<br />
experience.”<br />
On his part, the Chairman <strong>of</strong> the<br />
All Farmers Association <strong>of</strong> Nigeria,<br />
in Ogun State, Chief Segun Dasaolu<br />
said: “The State government has set<br />
up a Conflicts Resolution<br />
Committee, which I am the<br />
chairman. The committee will,<br />
among other things, uncover the root<br />
cause <strong>of</strong> the problem and the number<br />
<strong>of</strong> casualties.”<br />
Investigation by Vanguard revealed<br />
that no fewer than 15 persons<br />
had been killed by Fulani herdsmen<br />
in different parts <strong>of</strong> Ogun State between<br />
January and now.<br />
Also, a farmer identified as Ridwan<br />
was killed on his farm at Boole<br />
village via Ijabe in Osun State after<br />
a fight ensued between the deceased<br />
and herdsmen, following the<br />
destruction <strong>of</strong> his farm by the latter’s<br />
herd.<br />
The secretary <strong>of</strong> farmers association<br />
in the state, Adewale Wahab said<br />
the deceased was killed on January<br />
12, 2021 at a village in Ijabe, Odo-<br />
Otin Local Government Area <strong>of</strong> the<br />
state.<br />
Our morale is low in Oyo<br />
— Amotekun <strong>of</strong>ficial<br />
One <strong>of</strong> the coordinators <strong>of</strong><br />
Amotekun in Oyo State, who is not<br />
authorised to speak, confided in<br />
Vanguard that from January to date,<br />
Fulani herders have killed several<br />
people.<br />
The operative said: “I can confirm<br />
that they have killed a lot <strong>of</strong> people.<br />
I have lost count <strong>of</strong> their number.”<br />
The <strong>of</strong>ficial used the opportunity<br />
to tell Vanguard that the morale <strong>of</strong><br />
his colleagues is down now because<br />
<strong>of</strong> one Amotekun operative the police<br />
arrested for the past 35 days over<br />
the death <strong>of</strong> a Fulani herder.<br />
The <strong>of</strong>ficial said: “There was a<br />
distress call and the <strong>of</strong>ficer was there<br />
to help but the Fulani herder opened<br />
fire on him, used machete but all<br />
these didn’t have effect on the<br />
Amotekun operative. It was then<br />
somebody shot the herder in the thigh.<br />
He started bleeding and was rushed<br />
to the hospital where he was confirmed<br />
dead.”<br />
“Despite the fact that it was not the<br />
operative that shot the herder, he was<br />
arrested and taken to Iyaganku. For<br />
over 35 days now, he is still being<br />
held by the police. His wife has been<br />
extorted many times to the extent that<br />
the grocery store she has went under.<br />
“The Amotekun operative has now<br />
been transferred to Oyo town. So,<br />
this has lowered the morale <strong>of</strong> other<br />
operatives. If such a thing could<br />
happen to a colleague, then it means<br />
we, too are at great risk.”<br />
Amotekun’ll ensure safe<br />
forest in Osun<br />
— Brig-Gen Adewinmbi<br />
When contacted, the Amotekun<br />
Corps Commandant in Osun State,<br />
Brig. Gen. Bashir Adewinmbi, retd,<br />
disclosed that though herdersfarmers’<br />
clash is minimal in the state<br />
but the corps is not relenting in<br />
ensuring the forests are safe for<br />
farmers.<br />
According to him, the state has<br />
mechanism in place with which it is<br />
settling crisis between farmers and<br />
herdsmen and avoid escalation. But<br />
the corps is not overlooking the<br />
possibility <strong>of</strong> any eventualities.<br />
Adewinmbi said: “Although the<br />
issue <strong>of</strong> violent clash between farmers<br />
and herdsmen is minimal here,<br />
possibly because <strong>of</strong> the peace committee<br />
on farmers-herdsmen<br />
relation put in place by the state government<br />
to resolve disputes before it<br />
escalates into crisis, however, the<br />
corps is not relenting to ensure<br />
measures are put in place to tackle<br />
any eventualities that may arise as a<br />
result <strong>of</strong> displacement <strong>of</strong> herdsmen<br />
from other states in the region.<br />
“We are also exploiting area <strong>of</strong><br />
common interests with our partners<br />
in a bid to ensure our forests, along<br />
border lines, are also secured.”<br />
Herders must be law abiding<br />
— Ondo Amotekun<br />
Commander<br />
For the Amotekun Commander in<br />
Ondo State, Chief Adetunji Adesina,<br />
the “only way <strong>out</strong> is for herders to<br />
stop destroying farmers' crops, the<br />
farmers are doing their business, the<br />
herders are doing their business, both<br />
<strong>of</strong> them are doing their businesses,<br />
they should respect each other’s<br />
position. You don’t expect the farmers<br />
to sit idle when their crops are<br />
destroyed by the herders.<br />
“Tactically, they are destroying the<br />
farmers’ economic base and that <strong>of</strong><br />
the herders are growing and that’s<br />
not fair. That’s why the government<br />
is not too happy ab<strong>out</strong> it.<br />
“You’ve the right to do your business<br />
and they also have the right to<br />
do theirs.<br />
“The herders should respect the<br />
law, once everybody is law abiding,<br />
there would not be clashes.<br />
“The herders can do their<br />
businesses anywhere in the country<br />
and the farmers can do theirs too.<br />
“If the herders are law-abiding and<br />
respect the right <strong>of</strong> others, there<br />
wouldn’t be any skirmishes.”<br />
Amotekun established to<br />
serve our people, — Ogun<br />
Amotekun Commandant<br />
On his part, the Commander <strong>of</strong><br />
Amotekun Corps in Ogun State, Mr.<br />
David Akinremi, said that the corps<br />
is established to serve the people <strong>of</strong><br />
the state<br />
He said all states in the S<strong>out</strong>h- West<br />
region <strong>of</strong> the country need to work<br />
and collaborate to guarantee<br />
<strong>security</strong> <strong>of</strong> lives and property that will<br />
allow indigenes and residents <strong>of</strong> the<br />
region to sleep with their two eyes<br />
closed.<br />
He said: “We are prepared, we are<br />
taking our time to ensure that we get<br />
the best available grassroots men<br />
who will be able to function<br />
adequately well towards achieving<br />
the vision and purpose <strong>of</strong> establishing<br />
the agency. We have been given<br />
the go-ahead to commence recruitment<br />
by His Excellency and we are<br />
working <strong>out</strong> modalities to ensure<br />
that we have quality men in line with<br />
the Ogun Standard <strong>of</strong> excellence.<br />
“The state has been known for<br />
producing fantastic men and women.<br />
We want to leverage on that and<br />
ensure that we have an effective take<strong>of</strong>f.<br />
On the issue <strong>of</strong> fear being<br />
expressed by our people, I want to<br />
assure them that we have come to<br />
work. We have come to serve them.<br />
“Our people have no cause to fear,<br />
we are on top <strong>of</strong> the situation. Notwithstanding<br />
that operatives have<br />
not taken <strong>of</strong>f, we are doing some<br />
strategic work underground on the<br />
<strong>security</strong> situation on hand, not just<br />
within the state but in the S<strong>out</strong>h-West<br />
as a whole.<br />
“I had cause to meet with my<br />
colleagues from other states trying<br />
to tap from their experiences to build<br />
up the <strong>security</strong> architecture that<br />
would meet our <strong>security</strong> challenges.<br />
“Criminals are everywhere! I hate<br />
it when people begin to pr<strong>of</strong>ile some<br />
set <strong>of</strong> people. Criminals abound<br />
everywhere.<br />
"All that is important is to make it<br />
clear to people that it is either you<br />
Continues on page 27