The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has called on Nigerians to adopt ranching as a sustainable solution to the persistent clashes between farmers and herders across the country.
Speaking on Wednesday during a briefing on the upcoming Maiden African Chiefs of Defence Staff Summit in Abuja, Musa emphasized the need to regulate animal movement to curb insecurity.
He noted that traditional conflict-resolution methods, where straying cattle were detained until owners paid fines, had broken down over time. To restore peace, he urged Nigerians to establish designated areas for livestock, whether termed ranches or other names, to prevent uncontrolled grazing. “If animals are confined, they conserve energy, grow healthier, and produce more milk, benefiting herders economically,” he explained.
Musa identified farmer-herder conflicts as a major security challenge and stressed that ranching offers mutual benefits. He discouraged the killing of stray livestock, advocating instead for the revival of past practices where disputes were resolved amicably.
“We must find a way to coexist peacefully,” he said, urging stakeholders to prioritise dialogue and modern livestock management.
The CDS also highlighted the broader implications of unchecked grazing, linking it to broader instability. His remarks come ahead of the continental defence summit, where African military leaders will discuss collaborative security strategies. The event, scheduled for August 25–27 in Abuja, aims to address transnational threats, including terrorism and communal violence.
Musa’s comments reflect the military’s growing role in mitigating non-combat security threats, with ranching emerging as a viable measure to reduce tensions between farming communities and pastoralists.
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