A recent report by Nextier SPD Policy Weekly has disclosed that over 60,000 lives have been lost in Nigeria due to farmers/herders clashes. The report alleges an escalation of terrorism and activities by Fulani herdsmen during the former President Muhammadu Buhari administration, with claims that inquiries into the causes of such conflicts yielded no significant results.
The authors of the report, Dr. Ben Nwosu and Dr. Ndu Nwokolo, argue that the Christmas Eve massacre in Plateau state is a continuation of the persistent violence attributed to Fulani herdsmen over the past eight years.
The report further highlights that between 2017 and 2020, suspected Fulani attackers carried out 654 attacks, resulting in the death of 2,539 Nigerians. It emphasizes the gravity of farmer-herder violence, especially in North Central states like Benue and Plateau, and questions the efficacy of the massive public expenditure of 12 trillion Naira on security during the Buhari regime.
The authors point out a decline in internal security since Goodluck Jonathan’s presidency and assert that citizens’ trust in the state significantly decreased under Buhari.
Addressing the recent Plateau State massacre, the report scrutinizes the government’s response, specifically under Tinubu. It calls for decisive action, arrests, and justice for the victims, emphasizing the need for an integral security framework to tackle the pervasive violence.
The authors suggest that addressing the constitutional question of citizenship, conducting an inclusive national dialogue, and reforming livestock farming are crucial steps toward curbing conflicts and restoring peace in Nigeria.
IMAGE: Independent
