A distressing scene unfolded in Eleme Local Government Area on Thursday, June 19, 2025, as a video circulated on social media showed cows freely grazing on farmlands, devastating crops, and reigniting tensions between local farmers and herders. The footage, shared by @PH_Socials on X, captures the animals munching through lush greenery, with no visible intervention from authorities or herders.
The 27-second video, filmed in a rural part of Eleme, depicts several white and brown cows wandering through what appears to be a cultivated field, surrounded by palm trees and other vegetation. The absence of subtitles or commentary in the clip underscores the silent frustration of the farmers, who are left to witness their livelihoods being destroyed.
This incident is not isolated but part of a broader, escalating conflict between farmers and herders across Nigeria, particularly in the Middle Belt and southern regions. The International Crisis Group has documented how such clashes often stem from competition for arable land, exacerbated by climate change, population growth, and inadequate policy responses. In Eleme, the situation is particularly jarring given the area’s recent efforts to enhance security.
Eleme LGA has been a focal point for the Rivers State Government’s Amnesty Program, initiated in 2009 to disarm militants and reduce crime in the Niger Delta. The program, which has seen relative success in curbing violence, aimed to foster peace and development. However, the persistence of herder-farmer conflicts suggests a gap in addressing this specific issue, despite the broader security improvements.
Local residents expressed outrage and helplessness. “This is beyond wicked,” tweeted a user reflecting the sentiment of many who view the destruction as a deliberate act. Another questioned the prioritization of herders over local communities, hinting at underlying political dynamics that favor herders, possibly due to their influence or the presence of armed protection.
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The video’s circulation has prompted calls for action from the Rivers State Police Command and the Nigeria Police Force, having tagged both entities in a post. “Another heartbreaking video of cows eating crops in Eleme LGA, Rivers State,” the post read, urging immediate intervention.
The herder-farmer conflict in Nigeria has been lethal, with the Africa Center reporting that Nigeria has experienced the highest number of fatalities from such clashes in West and Central Africa over the past decade. The violence often involves not just economic disputes but also ethnic and religious tensions, complicating resolution efforts.
In response to similar crises nationwide, some states have enacted laws banning open grazing, though enforcement remains a challenge. In Eleme, the lack of visible herders or security personnel in the video raises questions about accountability and the effectiveness of local governance in managing these incursions.
As farmers in Eleme LGA grapple with the immediate loss of their crops, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle for land and resources. The Rivers State Government and security agencies face mounting pressure to address these conflicts, not just through reactive measures but by implementing sustainable solutions that protect both agricultural interests and the rights of all communities involved.
The video, now viral, has not only highlighted the plight of Eleme farmers but also reignited a national conversation on how to mitigate the herder-farmer crisis, a challenge that continues to threaten Nigeria’s social fabric and economic stability.
