By Fasuyi Tolulope Samuel
Nigerian singer Timaya has raised alarm over the continuous destruction of farmlands in Bayelsa by Fulani herdsmen
The popular singer urged the government to intervene before the situation worsens.
Taking to his social media handle on X (formerly Twitter), Timaya expressed his frustration, writing:
“Please, the government should do something. They are destroying farms in BAYELSA. Aboki, take your cows inside and feed them properly. This is so sad.”
His reaction follows a viral video featuring a group of protesting Bayelsa women, who shared their harrowing experiences of Fulani herdsmen allegedly uprooting their cassava to feed their cattle.
In the video, one woman recounted how she saw the herdsmen pulling cassava from their farmland and feeding it to their cows. She also revealed that a woman who confronted the herdsmen was beaten and sexually assaulted.
The Fulani Herdsmen-Farmer Crisis in NigeriaThe conflict between Fulani herdsmen and farmers has been a longstanding issue in Nigeria, particularly in states where agriculture is the primary livelihood.
Traditionally nomadic, Fulani herdsmen move their cattle across the country in search of grazing land. However, increasing desertification, population growth, and urbanization have led to shrinking pastures, pushing them into farmlands and resulting in violent clashes with local farmers.
Bayelsa, a predominantly agrarian state, has not been spared from this crisis. Farmers have repeatedly accused Fulani herders of invading their farmlands, destroying crops, and leaving them with heavy losses.
In some cases, these conflicts have escalated into violent attacks, leading to injuries, deaths, and displacements.
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