The National Security and Development Group (NSDG), a non-governmental organization, has thrown its weight behind the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, for his consistent advocacy to end open grazing across Nigeria.
NSDG’s Secretary, Mr. Chuks Oyema, made the declaration while briefing journalists on Nigeria’s security challenges on Tuesday in Abuja.
Oyema commended the defence chief for demonstrating courage and sincerity in highlighting the dangers open grazing poses to lives, property, and national stability.
“Gen. Musa has spoken truth to power and offered a clear solution to one of Nigeria’s deadliest conflicts. Open grazing has fueled violent clashes between herders and farmers, leaving thousands dead and worsening food insecurity,” Oyema stated.
Citing data from Nextier’s Violent Conflict Database, he revealed that 2,349 people were killed in 359 incidents linked to open grazing between 2020 and 2024. He noted that 61 incidents in 2024 alone left 467 people dead, with over 2,800 lives lost in the last five years due to related violence.
He also referenced findings from the International Crisis Group, which described the herder-farmer clashes as escalating into “premeditated scorched-earth campaigns” against rural communities.
Oyema said the CDS’s call was consistent with earlier positions by Sen. Mohammed Sani, Northern Governors, civil society groups like ASCAB, and several security analysts who have urged Nigeria to embrace ranching as a solution.
He further noted that both the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, and Governor Umaru Bago of Niger State have called for legislation and public sensitization to promote ranching as a viable alternative.
Oyema urged the National Assembly to urgently enact a nationwide ban on open grazing and strengthen the enforcement of existing state-level laws.
“Food security is being undermined when herders destroy farmlands. Farmers are abandoning their livelihoods, resulting in hunger, job losses, and worsening insecurity. We must do the right thing now. Ranching is the way forward – for peace, for security, and for food sustainability,” he said.
