Borno State farmers are pleading with the government to beef up security – or appoint a mediator – to stop herders’ livestock from trampling their crops and devouring the produce.

Two men are in a critical condition in hospital after they were severely wounded in a farmer-herder clash in the Magumeri Local Government Area of Borno State.

Eight farmers who were also struck by arrows have been discharged from hospital and are recuperating at home.

The clash broke out on Saturday, November 16, when farmers tried to stop livestock belonging to nomadic Fulani herders from trampling their crops and devouring the produce.

News of the clash was delayed because of the poor telecoms network in the area.

Lawan Aisami, a farmer and a resident of Magumeri, who escaped the attack, said: “The herders let their livestock get on to our fields, despite being warned by local authorities to wait until we had finished harvesting.

“The herders ignored the warning and when farmers tried to chase the livestock away, they pulled out their bows and arrows and shot indiscriminately at the farmers. Two were seriously wounded and are still receiving treatment in Magumeri General Hospital. Eight were discharged and are recuperating at home.”

Aisami told RNI that the traditional ruler of Magumeri called for a meeting between the representatives of both herders and farmers on Sunday, November 3, during which he cautioned them to “live in peace”.

“It was agreed at the ‘peace talks’ that herders will keep their livestock off farmlands until all the produce is been harvested.

In turn, the farmers agreed not to harm or kill livestock.

“Saturday’s clash is a clear indication that the peace deal is a failure. No one knows what to expect next. The herders might return and more farmers will be wounded or killed.”

Aisami said the farmers had reported the clash to the community leader.

“He informed the council and requested that more security be provided, particularly now when farmers are harvesting their crops. But it’s nearly a week later and nothing has been done to address the issue. Right now, there are no security personnel here and it appears that the authorities have not done anything to stop the herders and their livestock.”

Farmer Mohammadu Modu Isami was wounded in the clash.

“We heard that there were herders in the area. Then, on Saturday, they arrived with their livestock. The herders allowed their animals to go on to our fields. We could see the crops were being trampled and the livestock were eating the produce.

“This year we have bumper crops so we were very angry when we saw the cattle, sheep and goats on our land. We could not just sit back and allow them to continue. But, as soon as we tried to chase them away, the herders drew their bows and arrows and start shooting at us.

“It was impossible for us to defend ourselves. We quickly sent a message to members of the Civilian Joint Task Force requesting help to drive off the herders and their livestock.

“At least 10 farmers were wounded, two seriously.”

Isami said stricter security measures needed to be put in place, or a mediator appointed as a go-between to address the ongoing farmer-herder conflict.

“We are being killed, wounded and maimed. All we want is to be able to harvest our crops. If we try to talk to the herders, they will not listen. They attack us. Something needs to be done urgently. We are begging the Borno State government to come up with a solution and put an end to the conflict.

“We want the government to have our interests at heart. We, the masses, have to farm if we want to eat. We are always on the receiving end – it is time the government did something constructive to put an end to these clashes.

“We are in a difficult predicament. When we go to our farmlands, the herders kill us. If we stay home, hunger will kill us,” Isami said.

Modu Bintumi, also a farmer at Magumeri, said: “We are urging the government to intervene. If they do not come to our aid, I think we should relocate. It is not worth putting our lives at risk. We work so hard during the wet season. Then, overnight, our farmlands are trampled and the produce devoured.

“In August this year, the chairman of the Magumeri council had a meeting with representatives from both the farmers and herders. They were told to resolve their differences and live in peace. Since then, the herders have defied that agreement on several occasions.

“Now we don’t know what to do because people are afraid of going to their fields. This is exactly what the herders want. When we abandon our fields, they are free to let their cattle on to our lands to destroy all our hard work.”

Despite multiple attempts, RNI was unable to get comment from herder representatives because of the poor telecoms network coverage.

Violent conflict between the herders and agrarian communities is not new. Clashes have occurred for years – usually during the post-planting and harvest seasons – as both groups fight over the use of land and resources.

Climate change has forced herders – mostly from the Fulani and Shuwa Arab ethnic groups – to seek alternative places to feed their cattle.

Increasing desertification and deforestation have contributed significantly to the herders’ migration and, by implication, the continual violent clashes between the two.

In January, Borno State governor Babagana Umara Zulum constituted a committee to investigate the causes of farmer-herder conflicts and to recommend measures to prevent future violent occurrences.

He said the committee would identify and document grazing reserves and their current status.

It would also investigate the re-establishment of defunct cattle routes and would identify grazing reserves that were not being adequately used.

AYSHA MUSTAPHA KOLOMI