Farmers, herders raise alarm over fresh conflict escalation in Kano as harvest season nears

The Chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Kano State chapter, Abdullahi Ali Maibiredi, has raised concerns over a possible escalation of farmers-herders clashes as the harvest season approaches.

Maibiredi made the remarks in an interview with DAILY POST, saying the problem had persisted for years and had, at times, resulted in clashes, loss of property and deaths.

He said authorities had yet to find a lasting solution despite the impact of the dispute on farming and the livelihoods of farmers.

“I personally lost about 85 per cent of my crops last year, yet I did not see the necessary action taken to address the problem,” Maibiredi said.

He called on relevant authorities to intervene and find lasting solutions to the problem while rebuilding trust and peaceful relations between farmers and herders.

“We are calling on the authorities concerned to intervene and address this problem before it gets worse, especially now that we are entering the harvest period,” he said.

Responding to the concerns, the Kano State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), retired Captain Abdullahi Bakoji, said the association had already warned its members about the situation.

Bakoji told DAILY POST that an additional challenge this year was the expected return of transhumant herders from Niger to Kano before farmers had completed harvesting their crops.

“In previous years, herders migrating to other areas, particularly from Niger, usually returned to Kano after the harvest. But this year, they are expected to return while harvesting is still ongoing,” Bakoji said.

He attributed the early return to water shortages in Niger and warned that the development could increase the risk of clashes between farmers and herders.

“We have already sent reports and recommendations to the Kano and Jigawa state governments, as well as security agencies, so that preventive measures can be taken before the problem arises,” he said.

Bakoji also identified the closure or illegal occupation of cattle routes, grazing areas and livestock resting points as some of the factors contributing to the dispute.

“One of the roots of the problem is the way some cattle routes, grazing areas and livestock rest points have been closed or occupied illegally. We are therefore calling on the government to urgently look into the matter,” he said.

He added that MACBAN was willing to engage with relevant stakeholders to find a solution to the problem.

Farmers-herders conflict has persisted in parts of Nigeria for years, sometimes resulting in deaths and destruction of property.

However, the situation has relatively improved in Kano in recent years.