Senator Seriake Dickson has denounced the growing trend of violent attacks on entire communities in retaliation for the killing of cattle, describing such actions as morally unjustifiable and deeply troubling.
In an interview on Arise TV, the former Bayelsa State Governor expressed dismay over the continuous loss of human lives due to conflicts involving livestock, particularly in rural parts of the country.
“So we can’t be competing for space with cattle,” he said. “And however valuable they are, there can be no moral equivalence between killing a cow and then somebody now coming to revenge to wipe out a community.”
Senator Dickson emphasized that no matter the economic or cultural value of livestock, the sanctity of human life must remain paramount. He decried the normalization of such retaliatory violence and warned that it reflects a dangerous erosion of societal values and law enforcement.
These remarks come as Nigeria continues to grapple with farmer-herder clashes, which have led to countless deaths and displacements, especially in the Middle Belt and northern regions. Dickson called for urgent reforms to livestock management practices and the adoption of non-violent methods of resolving disputes.
“We must put in place a system that prevents the destruction of lives and property over cattle,” he said. “No society should condone or ignore such acts of terror.”
The senator also urged federal and state authorities to strengthen security and ensure that those responsible for these atrocities are held accountable. His comments add to mounting pressure on the government to implement policies such as ranching and enforce existing laws to curb the deadly cycle of violence.
