Katsina Begins Demarcation of Cattle Routes to End Farmers, Herdsmen’s Clashes

Francis Sardauna

Disturbed by the lingering clashes between farmers and herdsmen across the country, the Katsina State Government has commenced the demarcation of cattle routes in nine local government areas of the state in order to end the perennial conflict between the two groups that has led to loss of innocent lives and property.

The routes to be redemarcated include both local and international ones, which pass through the state to other neighboring countries.

Speaking during the commencement ceremony at Kukar Babangida yesterday, the state Governor, Aminu Bello Masari, said the conflict between cattle breeders and farmers mostly hinges on encroachment on areas of land reserved for grazing by farmers and consequent encroachment on farms by breeders.

He pointed out that until these issues are resolved, no measure would be able to stop the ugly situation in the country, hence the decision of the state government to re-demarcate routes across the state in order to prevent the clashes.

According to the state, “It must be pointed out that the original grazing routes and grazing areas in many states of the federation have been encroached upon by some people, this is one of the reasons herdsmen are destroying peoples’ farms in search of food for their animals.

“We are determined to ensure there is peace and unity between herdsmen and farmers. Our main focus is to change the unhealthy relationship existing between herdsmen and farmers in Nigeria, thus bringing to an end the culture of bloody violence.”

Masari, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Mustapha Inuwa, appealed to stakeholders and security agencies to take the necessary measure to recover the grazing reserves and identify cattle routes from those who have encroached into them.

He called on traditional rulers of the affected local government areas to give the committee that would embark on the exercise the needed support that would enable them discharge their assignment effectively.

Masari stressed that the ugly trend started some decades ago but most states failed to take necessary actions to stop the takeover of the grazing routes and reserves which were adequately provided even during the colonial days.

Earlier, the State Standing Committee Chairman on improvement of relationship between farmers and herdsmen, Alhaji Abdulraziz Lawal, said the exercise was aimed at fostering smooth passage of pastoralists and prevention of farmers/ herdsmen clashes, which had become a thing of the past in the state.