Nasarawa community laments destruction by roaming cattle, urges government intervention
By Glory Sam
Residents and farmers in Aso community, Karu Local Government Area, Nasarawa State, have decried the activities of roaming cattle, alleging that they have continued to destroy farmlands in the area.
The residents, who spoke in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday, said herds of cattle stray into farms daily, destroying crops worth millions of naira and threatening food security.
They said the situation was threatening their livelihoods, compromising environmental sanitation, and disrupting peaceful coexistence in the community.
The residents called on the government and relevant authorities to intervene.
Mrs Promise Anthony, a farmer in Aso community, told NAN that cattle recently destroyed her maize and groundnut farm.
“I came to my farm to clear the weeds so the crops could grow properly, only to discover that it had been destroyed. There was not a single stalk of maize or groundnut left.
“This is not the first time cattle have destroyed my crops.
“Even when you confront the herders while the cattle are on your farm, they threaten you. And when you report the matter to community leaders or the authorities, nothing happens.
“That is why many of us no longer bother to report such incidents. We endure the losses,” she said.
Anthony appealed to the government to take urgent measures to protect farmers and prevent further destruction of crops.
Also speaking, Mr Abubakar Ibrahim, a resident, said cattle destroyed his rice farm last year, forcing him to spend long hours guarding his farm this planting season.
“I now leave home by 6 a.m. and stay on my farm until about 5 p.m. or 6 p.m. every day to prevent cattle from straying into my land.
“It is exhausting, especially at my age, but I have no choice because I cannot afford to lose my farm produce again.
“Farming is my only source of livelihood, but the activities of the herders are making life increasingly difficult for many farmers in this community,” Ibrahim said.
He urged the relevant authorities to address the recurring problem.
Mrs Esther Jude, a resident of One Man Village, alleged that cattle also wandered into residential compounds, leaving animal waste and causing property damage.
“On one faithful Sunday, I had just finished washing my clothes. Since the clothesline was full, I spread some of them on the flowers and the grass in front of my unfenced compound.
“In less than 20 minutes, I came outside and found that herders had brought their cattle into my compound. The cattle soiled my clothes and destroyed my flowers.
“The herders stood by watching as the cattle damaged my property without making any effort to stop them,” she said.
She alleged that when she appealed to the herders not to take cattle into people’s compounds, they laughed at her and ignored her.
She further alleged that many of the herders were between the ages of five and 15 and often displayed little regard for residents.
She appealed to the government to intervene to prevent further incidents.
Mr Paul Kayode, another resident, also alleged that he found cattle grazing inside his uncompleted building after the herders reportedly broke the padlock to gain access.
“When I confronted them, one of the boys, who appeared to be about 13 or 14 years old, threatened me with a sword, saying I was interfering with his business.
“They behave as though they are above the law and can act without consequences,” he alleged.
Kayode appealed to community leaders and the relevant authorities to take urgent steps to address the situation and promote peaceful coexistence between residents and herders in the community. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Racheal Abujah/Dorcas Jonah