President Bola Tinubu has directed herders across Nigeria to surrender illegal firearms, abandon open grazing, and transition to ranching as part of a new national security strategy aimed at curbing farmer–herder clashes and rising insecurity Ripples Nigeria Arise News newtelegraphng.com city1051fm.com.
President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday issued a strong directive to herders, urging them to surrender all illegal guns and embrace ranching as part of the Federal Government’s plan to end recurring violence between herders and farming communities.
The President emphasized that ranching is now the mandatory path forward for sustainable livestock farming, noting that open grazing has fueled instability across northern and central states. Tinubu’s call comes amid a surge in school kidnappings in Niger and Kebbi States and ongoing clashes in the North Central region that have left scores dead Ripples Nigeria newtelegraphng.com city1051fm.com.
In addition to the directive, Tinubu declared a nationwide security emergency, ordering:
Massive recruitment into the armed forces and police (50,000 new police officers).
Deployment of DSS forest guards to flush out terrorists hiding in forests.
A push for constitutional amendments to allow states to establish their own police forces Arise News.
Tinubu stressed that the government is prioritizing sustainable solutions to insecurity, combining security reforms with agricultural modernization.
Implications
For Herders: Transitioning to ranching will require significant investment but promises reduced conflict.
For Farmers: Ending open grazing could ease tensions and protect farmlands.
For Security: Disarmament of herders is expected to reduce proliferation of small arms fueling violence.
For Governance: The move signals Tinubu’s intent to balance security reforms with economic restructuring.
Sources:
