A cloud of unease has settled over Shelleng Local Government Area in Adamawa State after a distressing incident involving the deaths of dozens of cows, the disappearance of several more, and a missing herder—events that have once again brought attention to longstanding tensions between communities and questions about rural security across Nigeria’s North East.
The situation escalated when reports emerged that 33 cows had been killed under mysterious circumstances in the Kiri community. According to local sources who spoke to reporters, 18 additional cows are unaccounted for, and Manu Mamuda, the herder responsible for the livestock, has been reported missing. Family members and concerned community residents have been searching for answers and expressing fears over the continued risks facing herders and farmers alike.
Police Respond Swiftly as Search Intensifies
The Adamawa State Police Command has taken up the investigation in earnest. Suleiman Nguroje, the command’s spokesperson, confirmed on Tuesday that a police team had been immediately dispatched to the Kiri area in response to initial reports. He emphasized, “Police have been deployed to the area to control the situation. As I speak, officers are on the ground working to ensure order is maintained and those responsible are brought to justice.” This prompt response aims to avert potential reprisal attacks, which have been known to spiral in similar scenarios elsewhere in the North East.
In a region where disputes between herders and farmers have occasionally flared into violence, law enforcement is under increased pressure to mediate swiftly and fairly. Nguroje’s firm reassurance intends to calm fears among local residents while upholding the rule of law. However, some community members remain anxious, citing a need for greater security presence moving forward, especially considering Shelleng’s history as a flashpoint for such conflicts.
The Scene: What Locals Found
Reports from Kiri indicate that the herder, Manu Mamuda, set out with his cattle as usual but failed to return, sparking alarm among his fellow herders and family. One resident, who asked not to be named, provided insight into what searchers uncovered during their efforts: “When his people went to search for him, they discovered 33 cows had been killed and 18 others were nowhere to be found. Mamuda’s cap was found on the ground with blood stains and some gun cartridges.” While these details have sent waves of apprehension through the local Fulanis, police have advised caution and are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.
Community Grievances and Historical Context
Incidents involving cattle theft, violence, or reprisal killings are unfortunately not isolated events in parts of Northern Nigeria. According to data from the International Crisis Group and local NGOs, there have been several hundred such incidents nationwide over the past decade, with Adamawa, Benue, Taraba, and Plateau states recording some of the highest numbers.
Community leaders frequently call for lasting solutions to these recurring clashes. “We need to address the root causes,” explains Alhaji Musa Ahmed, a Shelleng-based community elder. “There are land disputes, cattle routes are being blocked by farms, and there’s a lack of trust on both sides. No one wins when violence erupts; it is our rural economies and families who suffer.”
Rural livelihoods in Adamawa and similar areas rely heavily on cattle rearing and agriculture. Livestock are not only a source of income but a cultural symbol, and their loss has consequences stretching beyond numbers. Recent cattle raids in neighbouring regions have led to economic hardship, displacement, and even disruptions in market activities—a ripple effect felt throughout the local and regional economy.
Why This Matters: Broader Implications for Nigeria and Africa
The challenge of herder-farmer conflicts resonates far beyond Shelleng. Across much of Nigeria and the Sahel, changing climate patterns, dwindling grazing land, and rising population pressure have made such disputes more likely. Comparable reports from Ghana, Mali, and Burkina Faso illustrate a shared dilemma facing West African pastoralist and farming communities.
Policy responses have varied. Nigeria’s attempt to introduce ranching and grazing reserves has been met with resistance in some quarters, with critics arguing for more inclusive and locally sensitive approaches. Legal experts point to a need for clearer frameworks governing land use and dispute resolution. According to Abuja-based security analyst Ibrahim Sani, “Sustainable peace will require mediation, compensation arrangements, and investment in education around land rights and livestock management.”
Community Voices: Calls for Calm and Justice
Local residents, both herders and farmers, are calling for calm and due process while the investigation continues. Religious and traditional leaders have urged restraint, cautioning against retaliatory action or further inflaming tensions. Community-based organisations in Adamawa are mobilising to offer support for affected families and are amplifying calls for both justice and peaceful coexistence.
“We have lost someone dear to us, someone just trying to feed his family,” said a relative of Mamuda. “But we must place our trust in the authorities, and hope they will deliver justice without further loss of life. It is the only way communities can move forward.”
Security, Justice, and the Role of Dialogue
This incident underscores the fragile state of security in some rural areas, where resource competition and weak enforcement converge. Experts and civil society groups continue to advocate for a combination of security enforcement, inclusive dialogue, and investment in early warning systems to prevent escalation. Beyond arresting perpetrators, they say, efforts must focus on the economic and social roots of such conflicts.
In the weeks ahead, all eyes will be on the response of the Adamawa State Police Command and local government leaders. Success in resolving this case could set a valuable precedent for handling such incidents elsewhere, strengthening public confidence and averting repeat occurrences.
As Nigeria and its West African neighbours continue to pursue peace and economic progress, the need for robust systems of justice and community engagement has never been more urgent. The outcome in Shelleng will be closely watched—by policymakers, civil society, and ordinary citizens across the continent.
Have you experienced or witnessed similar incidents in your area? What steps do you think local authorities and communities should take to promote peace and protect rural livelihoods? Share your thoughts in the comments and let us know your perspective!
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