Herders-Farmers crises: States advised to emulate Otukpo model – Renown journalist

By Chidinma Chukwu

Despite interventions by Nigerian leaders and state actors on the ravaging crises involving farmers and herders in the country, the situation has continued to worsen.

States like Benue, Plateau, Taraba, Nasarawa, Adamawa and Kaduna have experienced escalating tensions leading to deaths, loss of livelihoods, displacements and disruption of states economy within the area.

Other states that have experienced Fulani militia attacks are Delta, Katsina, Zamfara, Niger, Ogun, Kogi, Oyo, Ondo, Enugu and Edo.

Benue state have been the worst hit with 303 attacks and 2539 fatalities since 2011, followed by Plateau State with 279 attacks and 2138 fatalities and then Kaduna with 160 attacks attacks and 1188 fatalities according to the Armed Conflicts Location and Event Data Project (ACLED).

In 2017, Benue State enacted a law on open grazing prohibition and ranches establishment that requires livestock owners to buy land and establish ranches prohibiting open movement of animals within the state but it appears the law is ineffective as there are still incessant attacks in the State.

In spite of the increased attacks by herdsmen in Benue State in 2018 which is the highest so far (82) times, Otukpo Local Government Area was attacked only once with one casualty.

Speaking in a workshop organised by a data and science journalist, Chikezie Omeje, as part of his Davis Projects for Peace, the renowned journalist said to address these challenges, Nigeria must seek better ways to promote peace and avoid further deaths.

Delivering his presentation via video conferencing on the topic, “Covering farmer-herder violence through data-driven solution journalism”, he said leadership and community initiative played important role in Otukpo.

According to him, Otukpo recorded very low attack because community leaders were able to dialogue and reach an agreement with herders.

He said” Herders reach agreements with landowners who allocated plots of land for cattle to feed on.

“They have livestock guards who lead the herdsmen as they go to feed their cattle.

” They hold meetings every month where they discuss issues affecting them.

“The herdsmen serve as security in their settlement and other parts of Otukpo” he added.

Omeje who noted that peace building efforts can be enhanced if the stakeholders have better understanding of the conflict dynamics advised states to borrow a leaf from Otukpo in Benue state who despite the being in the most attacked state in the country maintained relative peace.

He further urged that journalists avoid all form of stereotyped reporting as it contributes to tension in the land.