The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has sought the support of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) to tackle farmers-herders clashes in Bauchi.
Speaking in Bauchi, Superintendent of Corps (SC) Adamu Muhammad Ahmad, the second-in-command of the NSCDC Agro Rangers Unit, said the unit had been instrumental in resolving recurring disputes between farmers and herders.
He explained that Agro Rangers frequently patrol farmlands to assess damages caused by stray animals, mediate disputes, and ensure compensation without resorting to litigation.
“Last year, only three cases reached the courts. This year, none has been recorded because we make sure both parties come together, forgive each other, and if there are damages, they are duly paid for,” Ahmad said, emphasising that enduring peace requires government enforcement of clear laws on restricted farming and grazing zones.
On his part, Patron of MACBAN in Bauchi State, Muhammad Aminu Tukur, said poor agricultural knowledge among many farmers poses a threat to food security.
He lamented the near collapse of agricultural extension services that once guided farmers on best practices, urging the government to revive the system.
“During the Second Republic, extension agents were everywhere, visiting farms and advising farmers. Today, that system is almost non-existent. Government must intervene by reviving extension services and separating crop production from livestock development under dedicated ministries,” Tukur said.
Both stakeholders maintained that with the right laws, strong political backing, and renewed investment in agricultural education, Bauchi can sustain its record of peace while transforming agriculture into a productive sector capable of driving food security and economic growth.
