The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), has recommended the creation of a Federal Government agency that will regulate the activities of herdsmen.
Malami said this while delivering his address as a special guest of honour at the Peace, Unity, and Security Lecture Series at the ECOWAS main auditorium, Abuja on Tuesday.
The minister admitted that the crisis between the herders and farmers had become a pressing issue and steps were needed to tackle it.
He also said there was a need to revitalise the Nomadic Education Commission.
He stated, “Nigeria is predominately agricultural in nature and by geography. To that extent, there is constant mobility of herders across the different belts of Nigeria. It is perhaps time to consider the setting-up of a commission for pastoralism regulated by law.
“This might provide recipes for resolving protracted farmer-herder conflicts. The commission may even engage in or facilitate in-depth analytical studies with a view to providing lasting solutions for the benefit of people and the country.”
He also called for the “revamping of the activities of the Nomadic Education Commission with a view to complementing the efforts of the government in resolving the farmer-herder clashes.”
