The Federal Government on Thursday said reports linking increasing violent clashes between herdsmen and farmers to religious difference was false and propagated by mischievous individuals for political capital. Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed gave the clarification during a Town Hall meeting organized by the Federal Government in Abuja.
He explained that similar clashes were taking place in Zamfara and Kebbi where the majority of the people are Muslims.
“For those who might be tempted to view the clashes between farmers and herdsmen from the ethno-religious prism, I will cite two instances to debunk such postulation. Zamfara state is probably the epicentre of cattle rustling in Nigeria.
“Those who rustle cattle are Muslims. The owners of the cattle they rustle are Muslims. Both groups most likely belong to the same ethnic group.
“Then, there is the case of Kebbi state, where 70 percent of those who are in jail are there due to the clashes between farmers and herdsmen. The farmers whose crops are eaten by cows are Muslim Fulani, and the herders whose cows eat the crops are Muslim Fulani, same religion; same ethnicity.
“Yet, clashes still occur, to such a level that people land in jail. I have cited these examples so that we can be open to interrogating the real causes of the incessant clashes that have captured national and international attention and turned former neighbours to bitter enemies, so that together we can help to evolve a lasting solution to this crisis.”