Nigeria Conflict: Fulani Herders Turn to Guns

Discrimination against Fulani herders and illegal charges have intensified the conflict in Nigeria's northern regions. A leader within the armed groups, Babangida, stated that ongoing injustice and corruption will perpetuate violence if unaddressed. For years, 'bandit' groups have conducted raids, stealing cattle, and kidnapping individuals for ransom, primarily impacting farmers and miners in the northwest and central Nigeria.

Babangida explained that pressure on Fulani herders has driven them to arm themselves, emphasizing that justice is the sole path to peace. The conflict's origins lie in disputes over grazing land and water between herders and farmers, worsened by climate change and population growth. Armed groups have since engaged in ransom kidnappings and organized crime, with some connections to jihadist factions.

Recent violence includes an attack in Zamfara where a family of 12 was killed, and eight police officers were killed earlier in the month. In September, over 80 people were kidnapped in Zamfara and Niger states. Security remains a major issue in Nigeria's presidential election campaigns.

Babangida, who joined the armed groups a decade ago after his family lost 97 cattle in a police and vigilante operation, recounted being forced to pay millions of naira for his mother's release. He stated that the operation was based on suspicion that all Fulani were criminals. He eventually bought weapons with the proceeds from the 10 cattle he managed to save and moved his family to a forest camp.

Fulani herders have a traditional migration route southwards during the dry season. Government officials, police, and the military are criticized for failing to prevent the encroachment of farmlands onto grazing areas, with some officials accused of collaborating with farmers to seize land. Both herders and farmers have suffered losses, with attacks on farming villages causing many deaths. The Fulani community complains of being isolated by the government and security forces.

Babangida noted that if cattle damage farms, local elders impose fines often exceeding the value of the damaged crops. Conversely, if farmers kill herders' cattle, the herders are blamed without compensation, and police may impose higher fines. The Nigerian military labels the armed groups as terrorists and is conducting operations against them in the northwest. The Katsina state internal security commissioner acknowledged that these injustices are among the causes of the crimes. His administration has attempted peace talks and to address the root causes of the crimes, distinguishing this conflict from the jihadist war in the northeast. Balancing security measures with diplomatic conflict resolution is the main challenge.