Protest in Nigeria as farmer-herder crisis claim over 100 lives in 2 weeks

By Kabir Adeniyi

LAGOS, Nigeria (AA) – A protest was organized in the Plateau state, north-central Nigeria on Monday over incessant attacks on farmers by suspected herders.

The protest, which commenced from the Fwavwei junction community road in the city of Jos in the early hours of the day, resulted in gridlock that left over 2,000 commuters stranded. It was led by Polycarp Lubo, Plateau chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

The protesters carried placards with inscriptions such as: "That they do not die in vain," "we walk for peace," "stop the killings," "stop the bloodshed," "every life matters", and “Let Plateau live.”

The crisis between farmers and herders is one of the oldest conflicts in Nigeria since over two decades. There are competing claims over land and water resources, as well as issues related to obstruction of traditional migration routes, livestock theft and crop damage.

Violent attacks across several communities in Plateau have led to the death of over 100 people in the past two weeks in Bokkos and Bassa local government areas of the state.

“The time has come for all stakeholders, including traditional rulers, religious leaders, security operatives, and community-based organizations, to unite against the cycle of violence that has plagued Plateau for decades,” said Lubo.

Caleb Mutfwang, Plateau's governor, said his administration is taking decisive steps to ensure the state does not experience a repeat of the recent killings.

He announced a ban on night grazing and restricted the use of motorcycles in the affected communities.

Mutfwang described the recent killings as “coordinated acts of terror” intended to displace residents and deny them their right to live peacefully on their ancestral lands.