THIS DAWN — Chief Malcolm Emokoniovo Omirhobo, a human rights lawyer and public commentator, has decries the misleading narrative on herdsmen–community relations by controversial Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, arguing on the imperative of ranching.
The ongoing debate about herdsmen–community relations in Nigeria was reignited by remarks attributed to Sheikh Gumi.
Gumi had suggested that “herdsmen are going nowhere and we must learn to live together.”
While this statement appears conciliatory on the surface, Chief Omirhobo argued that it dangerously oversimplifies the crisis and ignores the real issues at stake.
Omirhobo Spots Coexistence to Conflict
In a video footage he made of himself, Omirhobo, while speaking, recalled that historically, herders and host communities coexisted peacefully under mutual respect and the rule of law.
Disputes were resolved through traditional mechanisms, and both groups lived side by side without major upheaval.
However, he stresses that the situation today is starkly different.
According to him, what has changed is not coexistence but the rise of lawlessness.
Communities now face killings, destruction of crops, trespass on farmland, and the seizure of ancestral lands.
Families have been displaced into camps, stripped of their livelihoods, and subjected to brutal violence.
“This is not coexistence, this is conquest,” Omirhobo insisted.
He warned that Nigeria cannot live peacefully while communities are attacked and farms destroyed.
Nigeria as a Constitutional Democracy
Central to Omirhobo’s argument is the reminder that Nigeria is a constitutional democracy, not a conquered territory.
He emphasizes that true patriotism requires condemning criminality, enforcing the law equally, and protecting every Nigerian’s life, land, and livelihood.
He calls on leaders, including Sheikh Gumi, to speak the truth and acknowledge the criminality of violent herdsmen.
“Where your people are committing criminality, say the truth, condemn it.
“Let them know that violence, killing, kidnapping is criminal.
“Don’t support such—you are supposed to be an elder statesman,” he admonishes.
The Imperative of Ranching
Omirhobo strongly advocates for ranching as the only viable solution to Nigeria’s herder–farmer crisis.
He describes open grazing as obsolete in a modern society, noting that it inevitably leads to trespass, conflict, and bloodshed.
“Open grazing is a result of clashes, it is a result of blood, it is a result of tears, sorrow and pains,” he explains.
By contrast, ranching provides a structured, sustainable, and peaceful system for animal husbandry.
It prevents encroachment on farmlands, reduces friction between communities, and aligns with global best practices.
Omirhobo urges herdsmen to embrace ranching, arguing that peace cannot be built on fear or force but on respect, law, and mutual benefit.
Reject Entitlement Mentality, Omirhobo Warns Herdsmen
Another key point raised by Omirhobo is the “entitlement mentality” among some herdsmen who claim Nigeria belongs to them.
He insists this must stop. Nigeria belongs to all its citizens equally, regardless of ethnicity or occupation, he noted.
The rule of law must apply universally, and no group should act above it.
He calls for a return to the old days when disputes were resolved through tradition, peace, and love—not through violence or the barrel of an AK‑47.
“It is only the truth that can set Nigeria free,” he declares, urging leaders to tell their people the truth and foster genuine peace.
Omirhobo’s intervention challenges the narrative that Nigerians must simply “learn to live with” herdsmen regardless of the circumstances.
He argues that such rhetoric ignores the reality of violence, displacement, and lawlessness that communities face today.
For him, the path forward lies in honesty, accountability, and reform.
Leaders must condemn criminality, enforce the law, and promote ranching as the sustainable alternative to open grazing.
Nigeria’s democracy demands equality before the law and protection of every citizen’s rights.
Ultimately, Omirhobo’s message is clear: peace cannot be achieved by tolerating conquest or lawlessness. It must be built on truth, justice, and modern solutions that safeguard both herders and farmers.
Only then can Nigeria reclaim the harmony that once defined herdsmen–community relations.
