Nigeria's Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Christopher Musa, has rejected the commonly used term 'farmers-herders clash,' stating that such conflicts occur when animals encroach on farmlands rather than being actual clashes between two moving parties.
"When they say farmer-herders clash, clash means two things are moving. But if a farm is [just there] and an animal comes in, it is not a clash, it's somebody entering somebody's [asset]," Musa explained during a press briefing on Tuesday.
Three Root Causes Identified
The Defence Chief highlighted three fundamental issues behind the recurring violence in Benue State and other parts of Nigeria:
1. Land disputes: Conflicts between indigenes and non-indigenes over land ownership, which Musa described as "critical" and requiring political solutions.
2. Animal movement: The unrestricted movement of livestock into farmlands, which leads to destruction of crops and subsequent conflicts.
3. Cattle rustling: The theft of livestock, which creates a cycle of revenge attacks and insecurity.
"So we must find solutions to how, which means if the animals don't move, we don't have issues," Musa stated, emphasizing that most of these problems would be resolved if livestock movement was properly managed.
Military Limitations and Political Solutions
The CDS acknowledged the limitations of military intervention in resolving these conflicts, stressing that political solutions are necessary.
"Most of it is a political solution that needs to come into it, because it is not what the military can solve. What we can stop is to try and stop people from attacking people," he explained.
Musa's comments come in the wake of a devastating attack in Yelwata community of Guma Local Government Area in Benue State, where over 200 people were reportedly burnt alive. The incident has drawn widespread condemnation both nationally and internationally.
BenriNews previously reported that the Yelwata massacre has sparked reactions across the country, with many calling for decisive government action to address the security challenges in the region.
As tensions remain high in Benue and neighboring states, stakeholders continue to call for sustainable solutions to the recurring violence that has claimed numerous lives and displaced thousands of people.
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