Kaduna: Farmers lament incessant attacks, destructions of farmlands by suspected herdsmen

Youths under the auspices of the Kaura Youth Coalition (KYC) in Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State have expressed concern over the incessant attacks and destruction of their farmlands by suspected Fulani herdsmen, resulting in losses worth billions of naira.

In a statement titled “Farmers in Misery,” the President of the Kaura Youth Coalition, Bawa Gwazeyiet Emmanuel, said their crops have continually been destroyed by what he called “audacious and brazen herdsmen” who perpetrate these acts of destruction without facing any consequences.

He lamented, “All efforts to dialogue, appeal, and persuade the herdsmen to graze without encroaching on people’s farmlands have fallen on deaf ears.”

He added, “The herders stand by and watch their cattle completely graze on a farm before moving to another. This has been the continuous plight of farmers, especially in Yadi and other areas within the local government area.”

Emmanuel further explained that he has pictorial evidence of many farms that have been destroyed by cattle, and no measures have been taken to address the situation or alleviate the farmers’ suffering.

Advertisement

According to the KYC President, “Today’s experience struck me to the core. I encountered a woman who was weeping inconsolably. Her husband can barely see and struggles to cultivate the farm. When she went today, she found the farm completely destroyed.

“Personally, I have reported the matter to our elected representatives and security agencies. Despite these efforts, there has been no concrete action to address the situation. The herders continue to destroy crops with impunity.”

He lamented that people have invested resources in cultivating their farms, only for the produce to be destroyed by herders when it is almost ripe. He warned that this situation could lead to serious unrest and violence.

He suggested that it is high time stakeholders in Kaduna State treat this issue with the seriousness it deserves or risk facing a potential crisis.