Ranches will do a great deal in securing our control and will prevent the conflict between farmer‑herder clashes
Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has renewed calls for the establishment of cattle ranches across the country as a strategic measure to curb escalating clashes between herders and farmers. Speaking at a public forum on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, Musa stressed that managing livestock movements is essential to reducing rural violence.
He outlined a two‑pronged approach: “In order to address insecurity, two things are basic. We must be able to control the movement of animals across the region. In doing that, it is important we create ranches. Ranches will do a great deal in securing our control and will prevent the conflict between the Farmer‑Herders clashes.”
The general also urged communities to halt the killing of animals that stray onto farmlands. “What is done is you arrest the animals and compensations are made. If we are able to address these two things, over 65% of challenges we have against farmers will be dealt with,” he added.
His proposal aligns with earlier government strategies which sought to establish designated grazing zones but were suspended amid opposition. Musa’s endorsement of ranching echoes decades-old recommendations aimed at resolving a conflict rooted in competition over land and resources in Nigeria’s Middle Belt.
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