A local government chairman in Nigeria has called on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to officially designate armed herders as terrorists, warning that the continued attacks on rural communities are fuelling food insecurity and deepening national instability.
Dr Eric Odo, who heads the Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area in Enugu State, issued the call during a stakeholders’ meeting organised by ActionAid Nigeria and the South-Saharan Social Development Organisation. The two-day gathering, held in Enugu, was aimed at strengthening institutional capacity and setting development priorities for local government councils.
Dr Odo accused armed herders of orchestrating widespread violence, destroying farms, and displacing rural populations, which has contributed to agricultural decline in the region.
“These individuals operate with impunity – moving through farmlands, destroying livelihoods, and terrifying communities,” he said. “Classifying them as a terrorist group will empower the nation’s security agencies to respond appropriately.”
He urged Nigeria’s security chiefs and national security advisers to act swiftly, arguing that only a unified and forceful response would bring lasting peace to affected regions.
Dr Odo added that resolving the security challenge was essential for reversing food scarcity and creating economic stability in rural areas.
Meanwhile, security expert Uche Okanume emphasised the role of local security networks in filling the gap left by overstretched national forces. He encouraged local council chairmen to invest in strengthening Neighbourhood Watch groups and Forest Guards, insisting that these grassroots operatives are key to rapid response in hard-to-reach communities.
Okanume also reported that entire markets have been shut down in parts of Enugu State due to rising insecurity, particularly in Isi-Uzo, Uzo-Uwani, and Udenu.
Speaking on behalf of ActionAid Nigeria, Mr Okwudili Odo, Head of Programmes, highlighted the importance of the meeting in aligning local development goals with citizen needs.
“This forum is about setting a shared agenda that ensures inclusive and gender-responsive service delivery,” he said, adding that local governments remain central to Nigeria’s democratic transformation.
