Date: April 26, 2026 l Reporter: Emily John
ABUJA — Nigeria’s former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has attributed the growing wave of banditry and insecurity across parts of the country to what he described as an imbalance in land use between farmers and herders.
Speaking during an engagement with journalists in Bauchi State, Tuggar explained that increasing tension between farming and pastoral communities is largely driven by competition over land, worsened by population growth and encroachment on traditional grazing areas.
He emphasized that pastoralism remains a legitimate and longstanding way of life, noting that it should not be viewed as outdated or backward. According to him, similar systems exist in developed countries and can coexist with modern agricultural practices if properly managed.
The former minister called for urgent reforms, including the modernization of pastoral systems and better management of grazing routes and reserves. He warned that the gradual loss of designated grazing lands has intensified clashes between herders and farmers, fueling insecurity in affected regions.
Tuggar also criticized the allocation of vast farmlands to individuals who fail to utilize them effectively, arguing that such practices displace small-scale farmers and deprive them of livelihoods. He cautioned that economic exclusion and hardship can push affected individuals toward criminal activities, including banditry.
“When people are disenfranchised and can no longer sustain themselves, they may resort to banditry,” he stated, highlighting the socio-economic roots of the crisis.
Beyond land use issues, Tuggar pointed to unpaid pensions and economic hardship as additional contributors to insecurity, noting that families struggling to survive may become vulnerable to crime and instability.
He advocated for a balanced and inclusive approach that protects both farmers and herders, urging collaboration between government authorities, traditional leaders, and local communities to address the conflict.
The remarks come amid ongoing security challenges in northern Nigeria, where banditry, kidnappings, and violent clashes have continued to threaten lives and livelihoods. Analysts have long identified competition over land and resources as a key driver of such conflicts, underscoring the need for comprehensive policy reforms to address the root causes.