Iliyasu Abdullahi Bah
The farmer-herder conflict in Nigeria’s Northeast has endured for decades, evolving into one of the most persistent threats to national security, agricultural productivity, and communal harmony. What began as seasonal disputes over land and water between nomadic pastoralists and sedentary farmers has in recent years escalated into a protracted crisis characterized by violence, displacement, and deep-seated mistrust between communities.
At the root of this crisis lies a cocktail of interconnected challenges: rapid population growth, dwindling arable land, desertification, and climate change, all compounded by the broader instability triggered by the Boko Haram insurgency. With fertile lands shrinking and competition for resources intensifying, both herders and farmers are increasingly pushed into conflict. Analysts argue that what used to be a matter of coexistence and mutual benefit has now degenerated into a struggle for survival.
The Northeast, already reeling from insurgency and banditry, has become a hotbed of these clashes. The human and economic toll is staggering—thousands of lives lost, communities destroyed, and food production disrupted. The conflict has not only jeopardized livelihoods but also undermined the fragile sense of national unity in the region.
The latest outbreak of violence occurred in Bandawa community, Karim-Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State, where two soldiers were killed in renewed fighting between farmers and herders. The incident, which took place in August 2025, underscores the grave danger this conflict poses not only to civilians but also to security personnel deployed to maintain order. It is only one of many violent episodes recorded in recent months, reinforcing fears that the crisis is far from abating.
Yet, amidst the cycle of bloodshed, there have been attempts to forge peace. In June 2025, a remarkable initiative led by the Commander of the 6 Brigade Nigerian Army/Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), Brigadier General Kingsley Chidiebere Uwa, brought together community leaders, farmers, herders, and government officials for a two-day stakeholders’ meeting. This dialogue, described by participants as “historic,” culminated in a peace pact that sought to address lingering tensions in Karim-Lamido. The agreement aimed to create an environment where both groups could pursue their livelihoods without fear or intimidation.
Similarly, the local government chairman, Hon. Bitrus Illu Danjos, has been instrumental in facilitating dialogue at the grassroots level. Under his leadership, representatives from both communities committed to a framework of tolerance, mutual respect, and peaceful dispute resolution. While such agreements mark a significant step toward reconciliation, experts warn that they remain fragile. Past experiences show that peace pacts are often violated, sometimes within weeks of signing, leading to renewed hostilities and deeper distrust.
The Nigerian government’s response has gradually shifted over time. Initially dominated by military operations and the deployment of joint security task forces, the strategy has now broadened to include socio-economic and policy-based interventions. One of the flagship initiatives is the National Livestock Transformation Plan (2019–2028), which was designed to address the root causes of the conflict. The plan aims to modernize livestock farming through ranch development, grazing reserves, financial support, and training for herders, while also providing farmers with support to boost productivity.
However, implementation of the NLTP has been uneven across states, slowed by political disagreements, limited funding, and skepticism among communities. Many herders remain reluctant to abandon traditional nomadism, while farmers continue to demand stricter regulations against open grazing. Critics argue that without stronger enforcement, greater transparency, and community buy-in, the plan risks becoming another well-intentioned policy that fails to deliver tangible change.
Experts also highlight the broader socio-political dimensions of the conflict. Breaches of peace agreements often carry consequences that go beyond renewed violence, including legal disputes, mass displacement, and heightened ethnic tensions. The challenge, therefore, is not only about resolving disputes over land and water but also about rebuilding trust, addressing systemic inequalities, and ensuring justice for victims of violence.
For now, communities in the Northeast remain trapped in a cycle of fragile peace and recurrent conflict. While military interventions may suppress violence temporarily, sustainable peace will depend on long-term solutions—climate adaptation strategies, investment in agriculture, security sector reform, and inclusive governance. Stakeholders stress that resolving the farmer-herder crisis is not merely a local issue but a national priority, as its implications for food security, rural stability, and national unity are too profound to ignore.
Until Nigeria is able to fully implement lasting measures that balance the interests of both farmers and herders, the Northeast will remain vulnerable to flare-ups that threaten lives and livelihoods. The recent deaths in Taraba are a tragic reminder of the urgent need for sustained action, beyond pacts and promises, to secure the peace and future of the region.