Farmers and herders in Kano State have raised concerns over possible clashes as the harvest season approaches, with the expected early return of transhumant herders from Niger adding to tensions.
The Chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) in Kano, Abdullahi Ali Maibiredi, said the longstanding dispute had caused crop losses, property destruction, and deaths.
Maibiredi told DAILY POST that he lost about 85 percent of his crops last year and urged authorities to intervene before the harvest period triggers fresh disputes.
The Kano Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), retired Captain Abdullahi Bakoji, said his association had warned its members about the situation.
According to Bakoji, herders from Niger are expected to return to Kano earlier than usual because of water shortages, potentially bringing them back while farmers are still harvesting their crops.
He said MACBAN had alerted the Kano and Jigawa governments and security agencies, urging them to take preventive measures.
Bakoji also blamed the closure or encroachment on cattle routes, grazing areas, and livestock resting points for contributing to the tensions.
The development comes days after the Kano State Police Command met with MACBAN to strengthen measures against seasonal farmer-herder conflicts. Police identified crop destruction, cattle-route encroachment, night grazing, cattle rustling, reprisal attacks, and misinformation as potential triggers.
Kano authorities have also reported the demarcation of about 1,300 kilometers of cattle routes as part of efforts to reduce conflicts between farming and pastoral communities.
Both farmers and herders have called for greater government intervention and dialogue to prevent disputes from escalating during the harvest and transhumance seasons.
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