For some time now,
talk on the diversification of the economy has featured at many public discourses. With the drastic reduction in oil price in the international market recently and its attendant consequences, there have been calls for the nation to go back to agriculture, which until the discovery of oil in Nigeria in 1958 was the mainstay of the nation’s economy. Then, the country was a net exporter of food and earned most of its foreign exchange from agricultural produce.
Thankfully, not a few individuals, both private and corporate, have heeded to this call as more and more people are investing in agriculture.
In Anambra State, for instance, renowned businessmen have gone into massive production of rice, tomatoes and all that. Government at both federal and state levels has also shown readiness to diversify the economy and invest hugely in agriculture.
Incidentally, with the endless menace of herdsmen across the country, particularly in the North Central, South-East and South-South zones, the idea of revamping the agricultural sector might be a mirage.
Virtually every day, we hear stories of the brutal attack of the herdsmen who would not spare any community that dares question the destruction of their farmlands and crops by their cattle. Apart from the destruction of crops, they engage in armed robbery, abduction, raping and killing.
The loss of lives and massive destruction of property that usually attend the attacks are indications of how heavily armed the cattle rearers are. From a group of stick – wielding pastoralists, living essentially nomadic life, the Fulani herdsmen have metamorphosed into arms bearing fighting force.
Today, most peasant farmers in the South East, South South, North Central and some parts of South West can no longer engage in their daily farming activities for fear of being attacked by herdsmen.
Just a few days ago, women of Ewu-Urhobo community, Ughelli South Local Government Area, Delta State, took to the streets to protest the constant molestation, attack, raping and robbery by suspected herdsmen. The women, who laid siege to the Ewu-Edjokota Road, very early in the morning alleged that the armed herdsmen, who take turns to defile them and maim those that refuse to yield to their lustful desires, feed their herds with their farm produce. One of them who was attacked with machetes while working in her farm with her children, eventually died and that sparked the protest.
In different parts of the country, many farmers and other people who invested in agriculture have similar painful stories to tell. Remember how about 15 policemen drafted to the farm of the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Chief Olu Falae, narrowly escaped death when suspected herdsmen allegedly opened fire on them in the farm some years back. It was gathered that the herdsmen stormed the farm in Akure and destroyed it. That prompted Falae to invite the police, only for the herdsmen to attack the police.
Not even an anti-open grazing law can deter them. We all know how the leaders of a Fulani socio-cultural association, Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore kicked against an anti-open grazing law recently signed into law by the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom.  The group also vowed to mobilize their members to resist its implementation.
Why both current and past governments have not taken any concrete action to stop this barbaric act is still a puzzle to many. Of course, the Federal Government would always order an investigation into some major attacks, the National Assembly would equally assure to look into the matter, but what has been the outcome of these?  Has anybody or group ever been made to account for their deadly acts?
No doubt, the failure to address this problem all these past years has emboldened the herdsmen to carry on with the unbridled trampling on the rights of other Nigerians. This has continued to flame the ember of hatred among various communities, religions and tribes.
One wonders how we can revamp the agricultural sector and achieve food security under the prevailing circumstances. Government should, therefore, as a matter of urgency, address the menace of herdsmen and rustlers across the country in order for agriculture to thrive and food to be abundant.
At this critical time when people are being encouraged to go into farming to ensure availability of food in the country and to curtail food importation, herdsmen should not be allowed to empty their cattle into cultivated farmlands to destroy crops and farmlands.
Most importantly, Nigeria should tow the line of the developed countries who keep their animals in ranches. In no advanced country can you see cattle roaming freely on the properties of other people and causing problem for their countries. Both federal, state, local governments, and even cattle owners who make money from this business, should join hands in establishing ranches and grazing reserves across the country as well as adopt other strategies to enable herdsmen settle to modern systems of livestock farming.

Calista Ezeaku