Reported by: L. Imafidon | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Oyo State is recording a high frequency of clashes between farmers and herders, with officials from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) saying the phenomenon happens as many as 100 times each month across the state. The disclosure, made by the NSCDC’s state command spokesman Samuel Opebiyi in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Ibadan, underscores the persistence of agrarian conflicts that have troubled rural communities and challenged local security responses.
Opebiyi noted that the clashes — which span disputes over grazing on farmland, alleged cattle poisoning and other friction points between livestock keepers and crop farmers — occur most frequently in areas such as Oluyole, Oke‑Ogun and Ibarapa. He emphasised that while some incidents escalate into open confrontation, many are addressed through de‑escalation mechanisms such as Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) adopted with community cooperation.
The NSCDC has tasked its Agro‑Rangers with helping manage and, where possible, mediate between conflicting parties to prevent clashes from spiralling into wider security threats. Opebiyi said that although manpower limitations mean the corps cannot cover every affected area as extensively as desired, presence of the Agro‑Rangers has contributed to curbing some conflicts and promoting peaceful coexistence.
The report comes against a backdrop of broader rural security challenges across Nigeria, where clashes between pastoralists and farmers have been a recurring feature in several states. Researchers and security analysts have pointed out that such conflicts often stem from competition over access to land, water and grazing routes, as well as environmental pressures such as changing climate patterns and scarce pasture — all factors that intensify the pressures on agricultural and pastoral livelihoods.
Farmers in Oyo State, a key agricultural region in the southwest, have expressed concern that ongoing clashes disrupt livelihoods, particularly when hostilities flare during crucial periods of planting or harvest. The persistence of these conflicts highlights the need for enhanced conflict‑resolution strategies that can address not only the immediate signs of violence but also the underlying causes of tension between farmers and herders.
Security observers note that sustained efforts — including community dialogue, improved land‑use planning and stronger support for both agricultural and pastoral communities — are essential to reducing the frequency of clashes and building confidence among stakeholders. In Oyo State, where agriculture plays a central role in both local economies and food supply chains, mitigating the impact of these recurring clashes remains a priority for policymakers and security agencies alike.
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