FG blames economy, social factors for clashes

The incessant clashes between farmers and herders are caused by economic dynamics and environmental factors, the Federal Government said.

Speaking at a town hall meeting yesterday in Abuja, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed said it was incorrect to attribute the clashes to ethnic and religious reasons.

The meeting which had stakeholders from various groups involved in the conflict in attendance focused on finding lasting solution to the clashes.

“Let me explain, starting with demography. In 1963, Nigeria’s population was 52 million. Today, it is about 200 million, which is four times the old figure. Yet, the land space has remained the same, or has even shrunk if we take into consideration the effect of desertification, to which Nigeria loses 400,000 hectares of land every year.

“Against this background, the contest for land and other natural resources is bound to be keener, and the friction, more,” he said.

Alhaji described Mohammed cattle rustling as an act of “sheer criminality” saying in some of the states both the farmers and herders are of the same religion.

Representative of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Peter Ogunmuyiwa urged government to act fast as the old ways of grazing was gone and there is a need to shift to ranching.

The Secretary General, Miyatti Allah, Mallam Gadzama, said the cattle breeders association is ready to take to ranching but that government must identify locations and size of the ranches nationwide.