The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has urged Nigerians to embrace ranching as a lasting solution to the persistent clashes between farmers and herders across the country.
Speaking during a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday ahead of the aiden African Chiefs of Defence Staff Summit, scheduled for August 25 to 27, the CDS said that uncontrolled movement of livestock remains a major source of conflict and insecurity in many communities.
General Musa said the traditional system that once ensured peaceful coexistence between farmers and herders has broken down, leading to frequent violence and loss of lives.
“We must stop killing animals. In the past, when animals strayed into farms, they were seized, and the owners paid fines to recover them. That process kept the peace,” he said.
He highlighted that keeping animals in designated areas would help reduce the risk of clashes and also benefit the owners, as animals tend to be healthier and more productive when kept in one place.
“If you don’t want to call it ranching, call it whatever name you like, but provide an area where these animals don’t have to roam. This will help address one of our biggest security problems,” Musa added.
He explained that when animals are allowed to move around freely, they lose energy and become less productive, especially in milk production.
The CDS’s comments come as farmer-herder conflicts continue to threaten food security and stability in several parts of Nigeria, particularly in the Middle Belt and northern states.
Musa called on policymakers and communities to work together to create peaceful and sustainable livestock management systems as part of the country’s broader fight against insecurity.