Abstract:
The Southwest zone of the country is not in any way immune or protected from the Fulani
herdsmen and farmers’ conflicts.
What is worrisome is how Southwest Nigeria, that is not part of the North has suddenly become
the epicenter of fulani herdsmen and farmers conflict. According to Olugbenga (2013), the
Southwest zone of Nigeria are predominantly Yoruba and their major occupation is farming (land
cultivation). They plant all kinds of food and cash crops. In addition, they embark on wildlife
hunting. The average Yoruba engage in farming, while the women do menial jobs, such as fetching
fire-wood, processing and sales of farm produce. There exists a close synergy between the
Southern Yoruba and the Northern fulani. This is because the Yoruba generally love festivities and
celebration which make cattle business lucrative in the southern states of Nigeria. On the other
hand, the Fulani also look out for greener pastures and water for the survival of their herds.
today, the Southwest zone is not, in any away, protected from the conflict emanating from the
fulani herdsmens movement across the country as they have carried out attacks in the states in the
zone. For example, Olaniyan (2017) disclosed that on April 20, 2016, herdsmen attacked five
communities in Lagelu Local Government Area of Oyo State and a number of people were killed
in the process; on 21 May 2016, Oke-Ako community in Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti
State suffered a similar fate when Fulani herdsmen invaded and killed two people. Following this
killing, Olaniyan (2017) revealed that Governor Fayose gave out cash and ammunition to local
hunters and vigilante groups, with a directive to attack and kill herders in return. The Governor
also, placed a ban on open grazing via a law titled: “Prohibition of Cattle and Other Ruminants
Grazing in Ekiti, 2016”, made by State House of Assembly, which was supported by Afenifere
group (a Yoruba socio- cultural group); but condemned by groups from the northern region. The
law criminalizes grazing in some places within the state and outside certain period in the day. It
also prohibited carriage of any kind of weapon by herdsmen, with the charge of terrorism hanging
on the neck of flouters and six months jail for offenders, among others... |
