Tuggar Links Banditry in Bauchi to Land Use Imbalance

Yusuf Tuggar, the immediate past Minister of Foreign Affairs, has attributed the rise in banditry and insecurity in Bauchi State to imbalances in land use between farmers and herders. During a discussion with journalists, Tuggar emphasized the need for modernizing pastoral practices and developing proper management of grazing routes.

He noted that population growth and encroachment on designated grazing areas have heightened tensions, leading to clashes between farmers and herders. Tuggar warned against the indiscriminate allocation of large expanses of farmland to individuals who fail to utilize them productively, as this often displaces subsistence farmers and deprives them of their livelihoods, pushing them towards criminal activities like banditry.

He called for a balanced approach to protect both farmers and herders and urged collaboration with traditional institutions and local governments to address these challenges. Tuggar also highlighted the importance of adhering to constitutional provisions that prioritize the welfare of citizens and warned against favoring a privileged few at the expense of the majority.