Methodist Bishop, Sunday Ndukwo Onuoha, has raised a red flag over the growing threat of food insecurity in Nigeria, warning that continued neglect of the persistent clashes between farmers and herders could plunge the nation into a deeper crisis.
Speaking on Sunday in response to recent violent incidents in Plateau, Benue, Enugu, Ondo, and other states, Bishop Onuoha criticized the federal government for what he described as a lack of decisive action in addressing the ongoing conflict. He expressed grave concern over reports of herders allegedly feeding cassava tubers to cattle, further worsening hunger across affected communities.
“If the federal government is sincere about ensuring food availability, the issue of farmer/herder clashes should not be treated with kid gloves,” he said.
The cleric lamented the increasing fear among Nigerians to engage in farming, especially now that the planting season has begun, warning that this reluctance could have dire consequences for national food supply and economic stability.
“Failure to speak in tandem with commensurate punishment to those hiding under the guise of herders has further led to the massacre of farmers and destruction of farmlands,” Bishop Onuoha stated.
He called on security agencies to step up efforts in identifying and bringing to justice those who exploit the herder identity to carry out criminal acts, urging a more proactive and comprehensive approach to resolving the crisis before it spirals further out of control.
