BASE SUNRISE WITH CHARITY OWOH

SECURITY & LIVESTOCK REFORM TAKE CENTER STAGE AS GOVERNMENT RESPONDS TO RISING TENSIONS On today’s edition of Base Sunrise, Chacha examined two major developments shaping Nigeria’s national conversation on security, agriculture, and rural stability. Both stories, though unfolding at different levels of government, highlight the same urgent concern: the country’s fragile rural landscape and the need for decisive, coordinated policy action. Niger State Assembly Raises Alarm Over Worsening Insecurity The Niger State House of Assembly has issued a strong warning to the Federal Government following the abduction of students from St. Mary’s Catholic Missionary School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area. Lawmakers declared that the state is effectively “under siege,” citing widespread displacement, abandoned farmlands, stalled road projects, and communities living in fear. Speaker Rt. Hon. Abdulmalik Sarkindaji painted a bleak picture of the situation, noting that more than 50 communities including his own constituency of Mariga have been emptied due to persistent attacks. Farmers have fled their lands, many now dependent on aid for survival, and economic activity has slowed drastically. The Assembly passed a four-point resolution calling for immediate deployment of troops to known bandit routes, urgent rescue operations for abducted students, and collaboration with Niger’s representatives at the National Assembly to escalate the matter. Lawmakers warned they would suspend legislative business within two weeks if no concrete response is received. FEDERAL GOVERNMENT BANS OPEN GRAZING, LAUNCHES NATIONAL COUNCIL ON LIVESTOCK DEVELOPMENT In a separate but closely connected development, the Federal Government has officially banned open grazing nationwide. The announcement was made by the Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Mukhtar Maiha, during the inauguration of the first National Council on Livestock Development in Yola, Adamawa State. The minister emphasized that open grazing has contributed significantly to years of violent clashes, loss of lives, and displacement of thousands across the country. He described the ban as a necessary step toward ending the cycle of conflict between farmers and herders, while promoting ranching as the modern, safer, and more profitable alternative. Nigeria’s livestock sector is projected to generate $74 billion in the next five years, with $14 billion already realized from ongoing initiatives. Adamawa State, long recognized as a stronghold for livestock production will serve as the operational hub for the new council, which includes directors of livestock from all 36 states and the FCT. The council is tasked with modernizing and regulating the livestock sector, ensuring that states adopt uniform practices that reduce conflict and enhance productivity. A Bigger Picture: Security and Agriculture Are Now One Conversation Both stories reflect how deeply intertwined Nigeria’s security and agricultural challenges have become. The crisis in Niger State underscores the dangers faced by rural communities, where insecurity disrupts farming, education, and economic development. Meanwhile, the nationwide ban on open grazing attempts to address one of the structural drivers of rural conflict, offering a long-term pathway toward stability. The Federal Government has clarified that the ban is not an immediate prohibition on all open grazing activities. Officials stressed that the transition to ranching will be gradual, allowing herders time to adjust and providing the necessary infrastructure to support the new system. Enforcement, the government assured, will consider the realities on the ground, ensuring a practical and phased implementation rather than abrupt disruption. Together, these developments signal a critical moment for the nation. Whether through strengthened security responses or bold policy shifts, Nigeria is being pushed toward long-term solutions that protect communities, secure farmlands, and modernize rural life. As these policies unfold, Base Sunrise will continue to track the impact, the implementation, and the real stories of the people at the heart of these issues.