There has been untold pains and agony suffered by many in recent times in connection to cattle rearing in Nigeria. The news of deadly conflict between Fulani herdsmen and farmers have dominated the Nigerian headlines for years. This conflict which first started as mere contention for feeding space both of the herdsmen (with regards to their cattles) and the farmers (with regards to their farms) has since escalated into a full fledged terrorism. No one knows the truth behind this underground civil war.
We've Been Eating Beef Before Without Conflict
We have been eating cow meat ever since. There were no problems all these years. The Fulani tribe has been doing what their trade has been without any conflict in the community. The farmers have also been farming all along without this kind of conflict we have today. Cow meat has always been our common source of meat. The consumption of cow meat as a major source of meat diet in Nigeria has dated far back into many generations past. Our forefathers eat this same beef. Our immediate past generation ate this same beef. What could suddenly turn our diet company to an enemy? This is the question many of us don't have an answer to.
What Has Changed
How could people who have been living together; growing crops and rearing cattles mutually and peacefully for years suddenly become cat and rat in the last 8 years? The same cows have been grazing around all over the country without fighting the farmers. There were enough lands and grasses then to support the cattles, how come now that there is not enough grazing space anymore which is believed to result in the killing and terror referred to as Fulani herdsmen/farmers clashes.
Much Pains
The doom and pains this insurgence has brought upon our nation is damning. Many people have been killed. We have witnessed several attacks in our communities and in churches. The pains is much! A lot of people have been killed because of this. Many communities have been deserted because of this. Schools and churches have been traumatized by this evil. Many of our women and children have been held hostage by these evil perpetrators. We have been whipped badly.
Are These The Source Of Terror?
Is it truly the cows roaming our communities that is the factor of this insurgency? Could there be some hidden miscreants, going under the guise of Fulani herdsmen, causing havoc? Are these cows truly the source of the conflicts? What kind of justification can we give that mere grazing space for cattle rearers and farmlands for farmers is the cause of this war? Could this assertion really be true?
Stop Killing Us
Please, let our cry get to those perpetrating this evil. Let those using our lives to play the game of politics have mercy on us. Let the international community intervene. Our siblings are out of schools. Many of them are in the cages of terrorists. We do not know who are these dare devil killers who are masking as Fulani herdsmen. Please, stop the killings. The Nigerian children are pleading: STOP THE KILLINGS!
