Senate to hold national summit on farmer-herder crisis

The senate has resolved to set up an ad hoc committee to hold a national summit over the incessant clashes between farmers and herders.

The upper legislative chamber took the decision after it adopted a motion sponsored by Isah Jibrin, senator representing Kogi east.

Jibrin had informed the senate of a recent clash between farmers and herders in Omala LGA of Kogi that led to the death of many.

Contributing to the debate on the motion, Sunday Karimi, senator representing Kogi west, said there should be a summit that would holistically address the conflict between farmers and herders.

“The issue of farmers and herdsmen has been a recurring decimal in our nation,” he said.

“About two weeks ago, a very industrious woman in a community in my senatorial district — they went into her place and kidnapped her.

“We had to pay a lot of money to rescue her. This is something we have to look at holistically. I suggest that we have a national summit on this.”

Ahmad Lawan, senator representing Yobe north, said the government must do all it takes to protect the lives and property of citizens.

“This is a security issue as much as it is an economic issue. We should say it as it is because we are looking for solutions,” he said.

“We must continue to protect the lives and property of our citizens, which is the essence of governance.

“The livestock industry is worth over N30 trillion. We cannot ignore it. We must ensure that the federal government resuscitates the livelihoods of those herders who want to remain within the boundaries of the law.

“I like the idea of conducting a national summit on livestock development. We have to be decisive in funding our security agencies.”

The motion was adopted after it was put to a voice vote by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.