Osun Farmers Protest Herdsmen Attacks, Farmland Destruction

News in brief:- ***Farmers in Osun State staged a protest earlier this week over the increasing insecurity and incessant attacks by Fulani herdsmen in the area.

• The protesters called for government intervention in preventing further attacks that have left farmlands and crops destroyed.*** Farmers from the Ago Owu Government Farm Settlement in Ikoyi, Isokan Local Government Area, staged a protest at the Osun State Government Secretariat on Tuesday, December 5th, 2023. The protest, according to sources, stemmed from increasing insecurity and incessant attacks by Fulani herdsmen in the area. Farmers, carrying various placards, urged the state government to intervene and address their concerns as their productivity has been significantly impacted by the attacks and crop destruction. According to Jimoh Rahmon, one of the protesting farmers, Fulani herdsmen were constantly harassing and threatening them. He appealed to the state government to come to their aid and protect them from the rampaging herdsmen. Rahmon further explained that the attacks were a recent development, stating that their farm produce is now constantly under threat with cattle invading farmlands, destroying and consuming their crops. The lack of security and weaponry compared to the potentially armed Fulani herdsmen has left the farmers feeling vulnerable and helpless. They appealed to the government for assistance, requesting increased security and protection. Rahmon added that the state's farmers take pride in what they do but need the help of the government to continue to do so. Herder–farmer conflicts in Nigeria are a series of disputes over arable land resources across Nigeria between the mostly Fulani herders and mostly non-Fulani farmers. These conflicts have deep roots and date back to pre-colonial times (before the 1900s). However, they have become far more severe in recent decades due to population pressures, climate change, and various other factors.