Herders in Rivers State say they have lost 60 cows so far in recent times. This is as they have for once spoken up on what they too suffer in the raging clashes with farmers.
The Rivers State government has however set up a high-powered committee comprising of both herders and farmers with security agencies and other groups to look into the causes of clashes and claims by both parties.
Apparently encouraged by such gesture, the herders led by a paramount Funali leader and alhaji resident in the state who gave his name as Yau Mogodi, gave startling revelations about what is happening in the state.
He told BusinessDay in an exclusive interview that there are criminals and cattle rustlers operating in the south too who he said put the heads of both herders and farmers against each other.
Mogodi disclosed that these rustlers and thieves kill cows to annoy the herders, and also go and incite the farmers against herders, thus, according to him, permanently creating conflict between both parties to their own advantage
In pains, he disclosed thus: “In 2018 we lost 13 cows to some unidentified farmers or criminals in Ebubu, Eleme Local Government Area. In 2019 at Balogo Village in Khana Local Government Area (Ogoni) of Rivers State and some criminals killed five of our cows, and in 2024 we also lost 42 cows to some criminals in Tai village also in another part of Ogoni, while we also lost 10 other cows to some thieves within Agbonchia Area of Eleme Local Government Area.
“These atrocities were committed against our organized breeders but no positive action in terms of arrest, sanction or compensation to the victims came from any of the authorities we reported to.”
He thus commended the State Government for creating a peace initiative across the State to handle conflicts between farmers and herdsmen living and doing business within communities. He said his people have confidence in the initiative.
In the interview in the Rivers State capital, the alhaji, who is officially addressed as Lamido Fulbe/Sarki Fulani Rivers State, said the peace initiative recently inaugurated by the State Government was in a right direction because his people believe that its aim is to foster harmonous relationship between farmers and herders who at various times clash over avoidable conflicts.
According to the Sarki, the composition of the committee members indicates the importance the Government attached to peace and security not just the perennial conflict between cattle breeders and community farmers but socio-political conflicts that undermine security as witnessed in recent past.
The paramount leader disclosed that he and his other supporting members overseeing the affairs and conducts of Fulanis and the organized cattle breeders association members of Nigeria known as MACBAN (Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria), agencies such as state security service (SSS), Directorate of State Security Services (DSS), Civil Defense, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) the state Ministry of Agriculture and members representing local councils or communities, and many more.
He said, “We are going to experience a new dawn of peace in River’s State because before now a lot of lies and propaganda by some criminals in the society had promoted hatred against innocent cattle breeders doing their legitimate business among farmers and communities they have lived with for over 35 years without breach of law and order” he explained.
He further explained thus; “Many people wrongly misunderstand who is really a Fulani cattle breeder and those non-Fulanis nor Nigerians hired by some people who are into cattle business of buying and slaughtering.”
He added that the typical Fulani cattle breeders live or settle in the bush with their cattle and not in the cities or townships.
Mogido believes that the high-powered peace committee should be able to apply its investigative mechanism to fish out any cattle grazer who violates the rule of law every breeder should observe, adding that both the farmers and community leaders should carry everybody along as both the farmers and herders would wish to relate and live in harmony.
The Fulani leader recalled that hitherto, some criminal elements had operated in some communities in Rivers State where they have killed and rustled many cows and the same criminals would turn to the communities with accusation that Fulani herders attacked them, their women or that their cows have eaten or destroyed their crops.
This seems to be why the joy of herders in Rivers State may know no bounds over the peace initiative. The excitement of the herders seems to indicate that they too have been unsafe and unhappy over the clashes and killings.
Read also: Yelwata: Tinubu directs security heads to arrest killer herders
They commended the Rivers State Government for inaugurating the ‘Farmers and Herders Committee’ to handle issues of frequent clashes between farmers and herders across the state.
Speaking during the inauguration in Port Harcourt on Thursday, July 31, 2025, Ibibia Lucky Worika, a professor of law who is the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), explained that though agriculture remained the corner stone of Nigeria’s economy, conflicts within the sector, especially among farmers and herders, have resulted in loss of lives, displacement and disruption of economic activities.
The SSG who is also the chairman of the committee, declared that Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, was determined to prevent such occurrences in fostering dialogue, promotion of justice and ensuring the peaceful coexistence of all inhabitants.
According to him, “This ‘Farmers and Herders Committee’ has therefore been constituted as a proactive measure to amongst others identify and address early warning signs of tension between farmers and herders across the state, mediate and resolve disputes amicably through community-based, non- violent mechanisms, and ensure that grazing and farming activities are conducted within the bounds of law and environmental sustainability.
“The committee will also advise the government on sustainable strategies for land use, pasture development, and water resource management, and promote mutual understanding and peaceful engagement through community sensitization and advocacy.”
The SSG further noted that, the composition of the committee reflects the inclusive and inter-sectoral approach of the government, drawing membership from the traditional institution, security agencies, farmers’ associations, herders ‘ representatives, civil society groups, and relevant Ministries such as Agriculture, Local Government, and Justice.
Acording to Juliana Masi, Head Press Unit of the SSG’s office, Worika stressed thus: “We expect this Committee to act with wisdom, fairness, and diligence. Our task is not only to prevent conflict but to build trust and forge partnerships between the various communities that sustain our economy and our peace.”
The government statement said the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture will serve as the Secretary of the sensitive committee.
Ugly reports have dominated the Eleme areas, Etche, Iriebe, Oyigbo, Omuma, and other upland areas of Rivers State about deaths in farms attributed to herders.
No herder represented them at a meeting held at the Rivers State Primary Healthcare centre last week to discuss sexual and gender-based violence as the convener, Ufon Utin, reported that no person offered to represent the Fulani.
Many continued to believe that the herders were comfortable with the clashes and must be at advantage. The revelation by the leader may take most people surprise to also get a feel of what the other side feels.
