Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has provided reasons why Fulani herdsmen and farmers clash continuously in the country. The President in an email to Reuters, who sought his reaction to
recent clashes in several parts of the country, said Nigeria’s growing
population is a major cause of crisis.
There have been several deadly clashes recently between herdsmen of
Fulani origin and farmers with the latest leading to the death of 73
people in Benue.
Reuters reports that the Presidency said the limited availability of
land prompted both parties to adopt all means to meet their need.
The newspaper quoted the presidency, “President Buhari holds the
view, as do many experts, that these conflicts are more often than not,
as a result of major demographic changes in Nigeria.
“Nigeria’s population was around 63 million when the West African
country gained independence in 1960, compared with a population now
‘estimated at close to 200 million.
“While the land size has not changed and will not change, urban
sprawl and development have simply reduced land area both for peasant
farming and cattle grazing.”