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Researcher Reveals Why Cattle Grazing Reserves Should Be Rejected Nationwide

Professor of Surgery at Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Charles Adisa, on Monday said herdsmen attacks can only be nipped in its bud, if grazing … Continue reading Researcher Reveals Why Cattle Grazing Reserves Should Be Rejected Nationwide


Professor of Surgery at Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Charles Adisa, on Monday said herdsmen attacks can only be nipped in its bud, if grazing reserves for cattle are totally rejected, nationwide.

Adisa, who is also a researcher with a focus on herdsmen in Nigeria said on Channels Television Breakfast Programme, Sunrise Daily that most of the herdsmen are foreigners and not Nigerians and therefore the Federal Government need to take vital steps to deal with the issue of the attacks across the country.

“We say no to grazing reserves or routes or nomadism for several reasons. It conflicts with our constitution, the Land Use Act which vests the power of land ownership on the Governors and the Local Governments conflicts with Nigeria’s constitution. The Federal Government cannot grab community land for private use. Why deny the community their means of livelihood?” he questioned.

The researcher also suggested private ranching as a solution to open grazing of cattle across the country. He said this will prevent one-sided benefits of open grazing reserves for cattle only, and produce better beef and meat for consumption.

“Nigeria has over 400 ethnic groups, why should one group’s economic interest be more important than the other? What is sauce for the goose is also sauce for the gander. If we must have grazing route and reserve for cattle, justice demands that we must have the same thing for dogs, pigs and for all the other animals.

“So, our recommendation is that there should be private ranching which is the modern way. It is sustainable, scientific and conflict-free. It produces better and healthy cattle with good beef and meat production.

“Government can then support private enterprises with soft loans, veterinary services, hospitals and other social amenities,” he said.

Adisa claimed that the attacks are unrelenting and deliberate because the herdsmen probably declared a war on Nigeria. Citing the example of the attack and murder of policemen by the herdsmen, Adisa said the attack needs urgent and prompt attention as not only civilians are unsafe but also security operatives.