CDS Musa Says Herder Movement Key To Ending Benue Crisis, Urges Political Solutions

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Christopher Musa has declared that a cessation of nomadic herding practices is essential to resolving the persistent violence in Benue State and other regions plagued by farmer-herder conflicts.

In a stark assessment, the CDS stated that the situation requires a political solution and transcends the capabilities of military intervention.

General Musa made these pronouncements while outlining what he believes are the core issues driving the incessant killings witnessed in Benue and other parts of Nigeria.

He explicitly rejected the term “farmer-herder clash,” arguing that it misrepresents the nature of the conflict.

“When they say farmer-herder clash, clash means two things are moving. But if a farm is [just there] and an animal comes in, it is not a clash, it’s somebody entering somebody’s [asset],” Musa stated, emphasizing the destructive impact of animals grazing on farmland.

He identified three main drivers of the conflict: land disputes between indigenes and non-indigenes, the movement of pastoral animals, and cattle rustling.

He stressed that the issue of land ownership requires a political resolution, while the movement of animals directly contributes to the destruction of crops and subsequent conflict.

He also highlighted animal rustling as a factor directly related to the nomadic herding lifestyle.

“Most of those problems would go away once animals stop moving,” the CDS asserted, urging the government to prioritise political solutions to the multifaceted crisis.

He clarified that while the military can intervene to prevent direct attacks, the underlying issues demand a more comprehensive approach. “What we can stop is to try and stop people from attacking people.”

Musa’s comments come against the backdrop of escalating violence in Benue State. Just recently, over 200 people were reportedly burned alive in a devastating attack on the Yelwata community in Guma Local Government Area, attributed to suspected herdsmen.

This tragic incident underscores the urgency of finding lasting solutions to the conflict.

The CDS’s statement has already elicited mixed reactions. Some observers commend him for acknowledging the complex nature of the crisis and for highlighting the need for political intervention.

They argue that a policy shift away from open grazing is long overdue and essential for preventing further bloodshed.

“General Musa’s acknowledgement that the incessant attacks are fundamentally linked to the movement of animals is a crucial step forward,” said Dr. Fatima Usman, a researcher specializing in conflict resolution in the Middle Belt region.

“The government must now act decisively to implement policies that restrict open grazing and promote alternative livestock management systems.”

However, others criticize the CDS’s position, arguing that it unfairly blames Fulani herders for the violence and ignores other contributing factors such as climate change, desertification, and the proliferation of arms.

They contend that restricting herder movement would infringe on their constitutional rights and jeopardize their livelihoods.

“Scapegoating herders is not the answer,” asserted Alhaji Ibrahim Hassan, a representative of a Fulani herder association.

“We need a comprehensive approach that addresses the root causes of the conflict, including providing alternative grazing lands, supporting livestock development, and addressing the issue of illegal arms.”

The Nigerian government is yet to officially respond to the CDS’s pronouncements. However, the call for a political solution is likely to reignite the debate surrounding land tenure reform, the implementation of ranching policies, and the broader issue of farmer-herder relations in Nigeria.

Whether the government will heed the CDS’s call and prioritize political solutions remains to be seen. In the meantime, the security situation in Benue State remains precarious, and the search for lasting peace continues.