Herdsmen will worsen poverty in Nigeria – Yoruba youths

A socio-cultural group, under the auspices of The Yoruba Initiative (TYI) has stated that the continuous attacks on farmlands in south-west and other parts of the country by herdsmen will increase the rate of poverty in Nigeria.

In a statement on Tuesday, Folu Olamiti, spokesman of the group, called on south-west governors to come up with an action plan that would stop further encroachment on farm lands by the herders.

Olamiti further urged the Nigerian government to urgently look into the dangers posed by cows “rampaging farmlands”, saying the problem was discouraging the business of farming in the region.

“If it continues it will worsen poverty and food scarcity not only in the south-west, but also across the federation in the foreseeable future,” he said.

“The people of south-west have long been noted to be highly accommodating. They have been living peacefully with Fulani and other ethnic groups for ages until now that cows, for no just reason, are being moved with impunity into farmlands, while herders show no slight concern to farm owners.

“We like to stress here that the impunity noted of the herders in destroying farmlands may have political undertone for now, but such will never serve even their interest in the long run in the event that Nigeria gets destabilised in line with plans by forces that may be remote-controlling the herders.”

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