…800 killed in communal clashes
…At PIND roundtable, stakeholders say ranching especially by private persons now overdue
Experts and stakeholders have recommended ranching especially by private cattle rearers only way to end herder-farmer clashes now said to be rampant in the south-east and south-south. The consensus was reached that ranching is overdue in Nigeria and that unless conflicts are reduced, pursuit for development would remain a mirage.
These were the highlights of a roundtable on impact of communal conflicts on agricultural investments in the Niger Delta mounted by the Foundation for Partnership Initiative in Niger Delta (PIND) in Port Harcourt.
Stakeholders who came to the roundtable with huge enthusiasm stated that they expected to understand how conflicts in the oil region could be resolved to allow agricultural practice to resume fully. They also said they wished to find an end to high incidence of land-grabbing now ravaging the region especially in Port Harcourt.
Chuks Ofulue, a research economist with over 28 years of experience in the development sector, who is a manager with PIND, welcomed participants when he said PIND is for economic development and peacebuilding in the Niger Delta, maybe the only NGO pursuing such a twin objective in the region. “We continue to analyse constraints to this objective. Today, we carry out another session of evaluation by getting stakeholders input in plans to address communal conflicts in agric value chain.
“Ideas are very valuable and communique would follow. Hold PIND to account on this.”
In a speech by Effiong Essien, the acting executive director, read by Ofulue, PIND said it is committed to fostering peace and equitable economic growth in the Niger Delta through multi-stakeholder partnerships. The group said it has worked to create sustainable solutions to the region’s challenges by supporting market-driven development and empowering local communities with tools and knowledge to build their own prosperity. “Our work is grounded in evidence, and one of our flagship tools the Niger Delta Peace Map has played a vital role in monitoring conflict dynamics across the region.”
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PIND said the dialogue was informed by new findings from their recently published policy brief, which explored the devastating impact that communal conflicts, particularly over land, on agricultural productivity and investments.
“From land disputes between communities to the ongoing farmer-herder tensions, these conflicts not only result in tragic loss of lives and property but also hinder livelihoods, deter private investment, and threaten food security
“We recognize that land in the Niger Delta is more than an economic asset it is deeply Intertwined with identity, social legitimacy, and political representation. Therefore, understanding and addressing land-related conflict is central to building a resilient and inclusive agricultural economy.”
PIND said the roundtable was designed deepen understanding of the links between conflict and agriculture, to explore how peace impact investing can mitigate the drivers of conflict, and identify actionable strategies for conflict-sensitive investments, etc. It was also to create a multi-stakeholder roadmap to ensure sustainable peace and development outcomes.
Highlights:
Mitigation occupied most of the day, pointing to issues such as occupational displacement which has forced most persons to switch from farming to buying and selling of farm produce as safer occupation.
It has also emerged that the clashes have scared away fresh investments. They have also identified drivers of conflict in the region.
The roundtable said kidnapping is declining despite increase in conflicts by 25%, increase in cultism, etc. It was pointed out that fighting between vigilantes and cult gangs increased, leading to 800 deaths between 2014 and 2024 killed due to land disputes. The report identified four spots in four states in the oil region.
Speaking, David Udofia, a researcher with PIND, said all efforts should encourage solutions rather than causes. He said PIND tried to help build media capacity to report conflict, and produce data and policy briefs.
There would be increase of awareness by enhancing capacity of Niger Delta communities to reduce conflicts. “This has led to reduction in injuries despite increase in conflicts.”
They also produce frameworks with governments collaboration, and trained over 2000 persons on ‘P for Peace’ in Niger Delta because peace leads to economic development. There are also field monitors.
A panel made up of Chioma Ezenwafor (media), Chisom Dike (expert), Lawal Olarenwaju (a professor), and David Udofia took contributions and questions from participants.
The panel agreed that herder-famers clashes are trending but that cows now owned by southerners. It was revealed that there are peace accords to resolve conflicts because there are many clashes in southern Nigeria.
It was also advised that communities have resorted to self-help while waiting for government to find lasting solution such as introduction of ranching.
Danger flags were identified especially in some identified places in Rivers State where herders seem to operate more. Security operatives at the roundtable admitted lack of vehicles to respond to outcry.
A monarch from Abia State, Faraday Chunekwe, the Nkuma 1 of Obu Ehere of Nkuma autonomous Community and chairman of Isikwuato Local Government Traditional Paramount Rulers Advisory Council, said Nigeria has big diversities. He said his community has been invaded three times in one month, but that his training by PIND has helped to know what to do. “Nigeria is rich in data gathering but poor in implementation. Nigeria is at war based on the size of arms on display.”
Alarm was raised that herders now know the forests and routes in southern Nigeria than the natives.
Sunday Agada, an agric officer in the Ministry of Agriculture said herders know where each powerline intercepts others around the south. “We sleep in houses, they sleep in the forests. How do we cope? Our people cannot go to the farms anymore. Can technology help?”
He said the exercise was good advocacy; “There used to be cattle routes for decades. They have been overtaken by developments. The National Assembly failed to enact the right laws to reflect the reality. The areas are now cities.
“Rivers State grazing law made references to the grazing routes but did not mention where they are.”
On land grabbing, he said most brown areas are being grabbed by developers. “We need the Rivers State House of Assembly to support by approving an agric village in each LGA made up of 600 youths.”
Other resource persons agreed that there can be no alternative to ranching. “That is the only way you can even do fattening. There is need for private ranches to take over.”
The summary of the report on mitigation said:
“This conflict briefing explores the link between communal conflict and economic development, focusing on how violence affects agricultural productivity and investment. Using data from PIND’s Partners for Peace (P4P) Peace Map and interviews with key stakeholders, including farmers, herders, and investors, the study analyses how communal conflict impacts agricultural livelihoods and investments The findings indicate that land competition is a major driver of communal violence, causing substantial disruptions to agricultural activities.
“Local responses to these challenges include the hiring of local vigilantes to protect farmers and crops and adopting group farming practices, where multiple families collectively cultivate a plot of land. However, to more effectively address these issues, the report recommends strengthening platforms community-based conflict resolution, for prioritizing livelihood-supporting peace initiatives, and utilizing early warning systems to protect agricultural investments and promote sustainable growth.”
