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News24
3 days ago
- Politics
- News24
Nigeria's central region grapples with recurring violence
Recurring deadly clashes between Fulani herders and Christian farmers plague Nigeria's Benue state over land and resources. Massacres, like the Yelewata attack, highlight premeditated violence and displacement fears amid failed security measures. Government efforts, including security deployment and peace committees, lack effectiveness, requiring political and communal resolutions. For several months, Nigeria's central state of Benue state has been the scene of a series of deadly attacks pitting Muslim Fulani herders against mainly Christian farmers. On Friday, gunmen killed more than 100 villagers in an overnight attack in Benue's Yelewata village, where the assailants also set houses ablaze. The killings are the latest in Nigeria's north-central region, which has seen a surge in violence amid clashes between Muslim Fulani herders and mostly Christian farmers competing for land and resources. Benue and nearby Plateau state are located on the dividing line between Nigeria's mostly Muslim north and predominantly Christian south, which have historically been a flashpoint for intercommunal violence. In the face of the latest massacre, Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday visited Benue, the first presidential visit forced by violence, according to the state governor. Here is what we know about the violence. What is happening? Benue State, in central Nigeria, is regularly targeted by deadly attacks attributed to armed men, presumed to be Fulani herders. The raids are typically staged at night. Amnesty International has tallied 6 896 people killed over the last two years in the state. Since January, several localities - including Yelewata, Gwer West and Ankpali - have been targeted, leaving hundreds dead. The latest attack prompted strong reactions, including street protests that police put down using teargas. "This crisis has gone on too long," said George Akume, a former Benue state governor and a current Nigerian government secretary. READ | 'It is insulting': Nigerian president's pardon of 'Ogoni Nine' draws ethnic group's rejection "No one deserves to live in fear or uncertainty in their own homeland. This really hurts." Pope Leo XIV condemned the killings as a "terrible massacre" in which mostly displaced civilians were murdered with "extreme cruelty". Yelewata community leader David Tarbo said the local communities are traumatised and have lost confidence in the security forces. He told AFP: People are afraid. The security on the ground no longer inspires confidence. Many have fled, and only a few remain. Some families fleeing recurring attacks in the region arrived in Yelewata on the night of the assault seeking refuge, only to be killed shortly afterwards, he said. What triggers the violence Two weeks earlier, at least 25 people were bludgeoned to death in attacks in separate raids on two villages in the state. Benue, one of Nigeria's biggest food-producing states, is located in the so-called Middle Belt, a religiously mixed region where such disputes often take on a sectarian and ethnic dimension. Elif Acar/Anadolu via Getty Images Moreover, the impact of climate change and human expansion is pushing herders away from the northwestern and northeastern regions toward the north-central zone, sparking deadly competition for increasingly limited space. Benue state governor Hyacinth Alia told Tinubu on Wednesday that the attacks appeared premeditated. The attacks have "persisted for well over a decade," he said, causing locals to believe that it is a "calculated attempt targeted at annihilating us, taking over our ancestral homes". What is the government doing to curb the violence? Tinubu has directed security forces to act decisively, arrest perpetrators, and prosecute them. During his visit to Benue, he also recommended setting up a peace committee comprising traditional chiefs. However, residents and analysts say that past deployments of security forces have done little to quell the resurgence of violence. Security analyst Timothy Avele said: It has become clear that the security agencies and the military will not be able to do it alone. Mark Gbillah, a former House of Representative member of Benue State, said attackers have not encountered any resistance, 'so they are being emboldened' to continue killing. He suggested more security forces deployments, 'and most importantly, the governor needs to now make sure the people can defend themselves'. However, Tinubu and the chief of defence staff, Christopher Musa, have suggested that military intervention alone cannot solve the recurring violence. "Most of it is a political solution that needs to come into it because it is not what the military can solve," Musa said in Makurdi.
Zawya
27-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Nigeria: Forum demands administrative, financial autonomy for SIECs
To restore public confidence in State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) as credible agents of grassroots democracy, the Forum of State Independent Electoral Commissions of Nigeria (FOSIECON) has called for strategic measures to rebrand and reposition these local election management bodies. The call and recommendations were contained in a communiqué issued at the end of FOSIECON's 13th National Delegates' Conference (NDC), held in Jos, Plateau State from May 20-25, 2025. The communiqué was jointly signed by Chief Barr. Jossy C. Eze, National Chairman, and Associate Professor Joseph I. Aremo, National Secretary of the Forum. The communiqué called for the administrative independence and financial autonomy of SIECs to be prioritised, describing this as a necessary step toward strengthening their ability to deliver on their constitutional mandates. 'Improved autonomy,' the communiqué stated, 'is the foundation for restoring public trust in the conduct of local government elections.' To address growing concerns about public perception and misinformation, the communiqué urged SIECs to 'embark on regular public engagements with election stakeholders across the 768 local government areas,' adding that such efforts would help build public confidence in the capacity of SIECs to conduct credible and transparent polls. It also highlighted the critical role of political parties and citizens in enhancing democratic accountability. According to the communiqué, 'Political parties, as the only platforms for nominating candidates for elections, should evolve mechanisms that support the emergence of leadership with proven integrity.' It further called on the electorate to 'consistently monitor and assess the performance of their elected representatives in order to promote accountability.' Building on existing electoral reforms, the communiqué recommended the extension of legal and institutional frameworks that have strengthened the operations of INEC and also enable financial autonomy for SIECs, noting that such reforms would enable more effective and standardised performance at the state level. On legislative reform, the communiqué urged state houses of assembly to 'adopt the relevant provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 regarding the procedure for conducting Area Council elections.' Doing so, it said, would 'help ensure uniformity and certainty in the conduct of local government elections.' In addition, the communiqué emphasised the importance of grassroots education and voter mobilisation, encouraging SIECs to deepen partnerships with civil society organisations and development partners to support voter education and civic engagement. 'All politics is local,' the communiqué read, 'and it is essential that SIECs become not just administrators of elections but champions of civic competence.' The communiqué also rejected calls for the abolition of SIECs, labelling such proposals as 'mischievous and anti-federalist.' It reaffirmed that SIECs remain constitutionally protected and vital to Nigeria's democratic development. This position was publicly supported by Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang and his Nasarawa State counterpart, Abdullahi Sule, both of whom attended the conference as special guests. Themed 'Local Government Elections in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges, and Opportunities,' the conference brought together participants from all 36 states, including representatives from academia, civil society, and key electoral stakeholders. Officials from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) programme, Development Alternatives Incorporated (DAI), and the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) were also in attendance. Technical sessions featured expert presentations, including a keynote address by Prof. Samuel Egwu, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner for Benue State. Other sessions explored topics such as SIECs' Independence: Panacea for Credible LG Polls by Assoc. Prof. Mohammed B. Babanumma; Election Management Bodies, Electoral Process and the Law by Prof. Alphonsus Okoh Alubo, SAN; The Role of SIECs in Grassroots Democracy by Barr. Cynthia Mbamalu; and Voter Education, Civic Competence, and Participatory Democracy in Nigeria by Mr. Martins Oloja. More than 300 delegates from across the federation participated in the conference, reaffirming FOSIECON's commitment to strengthening electoral credibility and inclusive democracy at the grassroots level. Copyright © 2022 Nigerian Tribune Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
06-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
How Nigeria is reimagining livestock economy?
Recently, the Minister of Livestock Development Idi Mukhtar Maiha, visited Plateau State on a working visit to assess and identify with the livestock and crop farmers as the tension between the due continues to rise. In this piece, COLLINS NNABUIFE assessed the Minister's visit and reported the significance towards achieving a robust livestock industry. In a move that signals a new chapter for Nigeria's livestock sector, the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, embarked on a high-impact, three-day working visit to Plateau State from April 30 to May 2, 2025. The aim of the visit mission was to ignite a nationwide livestock revolution from the heart of Nigeria's livestock history. Against the backdrop of recent violence in Plateau State, the Minister's visit began on a solemn yet hopeful note. At Government House, Jos, he condoled with the Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang over recent killings in the state. Maiha's central message was one of transformation backed by a federal government's vision to turn Nigeria's livestock sector from an underperforming industry into a $74 billion powerhouse by 2035. 'We are not here to merely talk. We are here to build sustainable systems, to modernize, to empower, and most importantly, to unify', the Minister told the governor. One of the Minister's most compelling announcements was the planned establishment of a Model Livestock Village in Plateau State. The Livestock Village, designed as a blueprint for other regions, will integrate pasture fields, dry-season irrigation, veterinary and primary healthcare facilities, educational centers, milk processing plants, and residential quarters for livestock keepers. 'This model will become the beacon of what livestock production can look like in Nigeria. it is not just a facility; it is a vision of prosperity, peace, and productivity, the Minister declared. Governor Mutfwang lauded the initiative, affirming the state's readiness to partner with the federal government. 'You are not a Minister looking for food to eat,' he remarked. 'You are one creating food for Nigeria.' Throughout the visit, one recurring theme was inclusivity. From the Palace of the Gbong Gwom Jos, Dr. Jacob Gyang Buba, to the stakeholder meeting with groups like the National Sheep and Goat Development Association and the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN), Maiha emphasized the importance of collaborative ownership. 'It is not just about top-down policies. It is about the butcher, the herder, the dairy farmer, and the policy maker all pulling in the same direction', he told them. The journey took a more tangible turn as the Minister moved to Wase Grazing Reserve. Stretching nearly 100,000 hectares, the reserve is set to become the flagship for Nigeria's grazing reserve revitalization effort. Maiha's message at Wase was equal parts development and diplomacy. 'We are here to preach peace and restore hope. When you structure livestock production, you don't just feed a nation, you unite it', he said. The Minister mounted a tractor, personally tilling the soil, a moment that sparked applause and symbolised his hands-on commitment. 'This is more than symbolism,' said Hon. Hamisu Mohammed Anani, Chairman of Wase LGA. Dr. Sunday Akpa, Plateau State Commissioner for Livestock Development, described the project as a 'new dawn for peace and productivity.' At Kanam LGA, Maiha continued to stress peacebuilding as the foundation for economic development. He received warm welcomes from the Emir of Kanam and other traditional leaders who pledged their full support for the livestock transformation initiative. In Mangu LGA, the engagement shifted focus to grassroots farmers. Here, Maiha laid out the federal government's plan to turn grazing reserves into economic hubs that would empower rural communities. 'This is not charity, it is opportunity. If we get this right, conflict becomes cooperation, and poverty gives way to prosperity, the Minister told the community. The final stop on the tour took the Minister to Bokkos, home of the long-neglected Milky Way Dairy Farm. Once a shining example of Nigeria's dairy potential, the farm had fallen into disrepair until now. With 500 hectares of pasture land and dormant processing facilities, the farm is ripe for revival. 'We can't be importing $1.5 billion worth of dairy when we have this,' Maiha said. He vowed to restore the facility and use it as a training and employment hub for youth. During a visit to the National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI) in Vom, the Minister was confronted with the dual reality of legacy and neglect. Dr. Nicholas Nwankpa, representing the NVRI Director, listed urgent needs; from vaccine scale-up to infrastructural upgrades. In response, Maiha pledged sweeping reforms, including plans to commercialise the institute and reposition it as a West African leader in animal health. 'NVRI must become the epicenter of livestock health solutions, not just for Nigeria but for all of West Africa,' he said. As the Minister's convoy departed Plateau State, one thing had become abundantly clear, this was not a ceremonial visit. It was a clarion call for a livestock revolution rooted in peace, productivity, and partnership. With projects like the Wase Livestock Village, revival of key assets like Milky Way Dairy Farm, and reinvigoration of NVRI Vom, Maiha is scripting a new narrative. One where every grazing reserve becomes a growth engine, every livestock farmer a proud entrepreneur, and every state a stakeholder in Nigeria's agricultural renaissance. 'From the honeybee to the camel, no species will be left behind. Together, we will build a livestock sector that feeds the nation, unites our people, and lifts millions out of poverty', he noted. Copyright © 2022 Nigerian Tribune Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
