Residents of eleven communities in Yobe State have called on the state government to engage hunters and vigilante groups to tackle the lingering issue of herders destructing farm products across the state.
Those who spoke with LEADERSHIP stated that the farmer/herder conflicts have forced many farmers to harvest unripe sorghum, beans and other farm products in the state.
One of the farmers who sought anonymity disclosed that the herders are only afraid of military, the hunters or vigilante groups, adding that these hunters or vigilantes know the nooks and crannies of their respective communities.
He added that, “I will like to advise that the government should empower and deploy them to farmers to protect their farmlands against destruction”.
He stressed that many farmlands were destroyed by the herders in various local government areas in the state
Another resident who also craved for secrecy also strongly advocated the need for government to engage hunters and vigilantes to protect the farm lands “as many farm products were destroyed by the herders.”
Special Adviser on Security to Governor Mai Mala Buni, Brig. Gen Abdulsalam Dahiru (rtd) assured that the Yobe State Government was doing its best to end the menace.
According to him, the government will hold an enlarged security meeting with heads of security agencies, the Chairman of Yobe State Council of Chiefs and Chairmen of the 17 local government areas in the state on the issue in the coming days.
He hinted of another meeting with all stakeholders including Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Kulen Allah Cattle Rearers Association of Nigeria, Alhaya and other similar herders organisations, together with all farmers associations in the state and traditional rulers.
The residents then called on the government to take decisive action to curb unwarranted conflicts that have led to needless fatalities in communities of Yobe State.
They mentioned the affected places to include Gulani, Gujba, Tarmuwa, Jakusko, Nangere, Damaturu, Bursari, Fune, Fika, Yunusari and Karasuwa local government areas of the state.
LEADERSHIP gathered that some of the affected local government areas have held series of meetings with farmers and herders to mitigate the destruction of crops and farms as a result of the conflicts.
