Violent conflicts between nomadic herders from northern Nigeria and agrarian communities in the central and southern zones have escalated in recent years and are spreading like wild-fire threatening the country’s security and stability.
With an estimated death toll of approximately 6,000 people between 2016-2019, these clashes are becoming as potentially dangerous as the Boko Haram insurgency in the northeast
To this end, a former Governor in Ekiti State, who recently defected from the All Progressives Congress to the Peoples Democratic Party, said that beyond party politics and individual ambitions, the safety of all Nigerians irrespective of their choice of residence should be a priority.
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He advised the Federal Government that to prevent the crisis of desertification, insecurity and loss of grazing land to expanding Settlements from escalating, the government should strengthen security in the Suburbs, implement conflict resolution mechanisms and establish grazing reserves.
(Editor: Nkoli Omhoudu)
