Very Dark Man (VDM), a prominent Nigerian figure known for his outspoken views on national issues, has raised serious concerns over the escalating violence between Fulani herders and farmers in Nigeria.
His post reads:
This is getting out of hand to be honest, how can you as a Fulani go to someone’s land, take his food, and kill him in the process? Where is your conscience?
The post has sparked widespread reactions across social media, especially as VDM attached an image of a middle-aged man lying lifeless in his farmland.
The disturbing image, showing a man who appears to have been murdered during a confrontation with herders, serves as a stark reminder of the brutal consequences of these violent clashes.
While VDM did not specifically mention the location of the incident, the timing of his post, amid rising tensions in the southeast, has led many to believe that the image and his statement reflect the broader context of violence unfolding in the region.
The Rising Violence: Herders vs Farmers in the Southeast
The violent conflict between Fulani herders and local farmers has been a persistent issue in Nigeria, but recent events have heightened the severity of the situation, particularly in the southeastern part of the country.
Farmers in this region have long complained about the destruction of their crops by cattle, a situation that has led to escalating violence.
The recent killing of a middle-aged farmer, whose lifeless body was shown in the photo shared by VDM has amplified concerns over the safety of farmers in these areas.
This tragedy follows a series of violent clashes, which have already left a trail of death and destruction. As these farmers struggle to rebuild their livelihoods, many now live in constant fear of violent reprisal or loss of life.
Uromi Incident and the Promise of Revenge
Adding fuel to the fire is the recent killing of 16 Northerners in Uromi, which has sparked a dangerous vow of retaliation from those responsible.
The threat of revenge continues to escalate the tensions in the region, as communities divide further along ethnic and regional lines.
VDM’s post, which highlighted the growing violence, appears to reflect the frustration and anger felt by many Nigerians who are caught in the crossfire of these disputes.
His question, “Where is your conscience?”, speaks to the moral crisis at the heart of the conflict. With each life lost, the situation seems to spiral further out of control.
What is at Stake?
The violence between herders and farmers is no longer just about land disputes, it is about survival. The destruction of farmland by herders’ cattle has severely affected the livelihoods of farmers, particularly in the southeast where agriculture is the backbone of the economy.
Farmers who are already struggling with the weight of poverty now face the added threat of violent attacks, as demonstrated by the recent killing of the middle-aged farmer.
As these violent clashes become increasingly deadly, the consequences extend far beyond individual communities.
The growing instability threatens national security, as it exacerbates ethnic and regional divisions. In many cases, violence is met with retaliatory acts, creating a vicious cycle that is increasingly difficult to break.
As VDM’s post so powerfully highlights, the violence in the region is spiraling out of control.
The attached image of the lifeless farmer, lying in his farmland, serves as a stark visual reminder of the human cost of this conflict.
This tragic image underscores the need for immediate action to address the root causes of the violence.
For a solution to be found, the Nigerian government must intervene swiftly to prevent further escalation.
Strengthened enforcement of land-use laws, better security measures for farmers, and an open dialogue between herders and farmers could help mitigate the conflict.
However, without immediate and decisive action, this crisis is likely to continue spiraling, leading to more deaths and destruction.
A Path Forward
The brutal killing of a farmer, captured in the image shared by VDM, is just one example of the deepening crisis between Fulani herders and farmers in Nigeria.
As the violence continues to escalate, the question remains: how much longer will the people of Nigeria endure this growing conflict?
The time for action is now. Both local communities and the government must prioritize finding peaceful resolutions and take concrete steps to ensure that such violence does not become a permanent fixture in Nigeria’s political and social landscape.
