Tuggar Links Banditry to Land Use Imbalance

Former Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar has pointed to what he describes as a growing imbalance in land use as a major factor behind rising insecurity, particularly banditry, in parts of northern Nigeria.

Speaking during an interaction with journalists, the ex-minister argued that the long-standing tension between farmers and herders has been worsened by poor land management, population pressure, and the gradual erosion of designated grazing areas. According to him, these pressures are pushing vulnerable groups toward desperate measures.

Tuggar, who is positioning himself ahead of the governorship race in Bauchi State, said the issue goes beyond security operations and requires structural reforms that address how land is allocated and used across communities.

He defended pastoralism as a legitimate and globally recognised economic activity, stressing that it should not be dismissed as outdated. Instead, he called for its modernisation through better planning, including the preservation and proper regulation of grazing routes and reserves.

At the same time, he criticised the practice of allocating vast portions of farmland to individuals or entities that fail to utilise them effectively. Such patterns, he said, often leave small-scale farmers displaced and without sustainable livelihoods, creating conditions that can fuel crime.

“When people lose access to productive land and can no longer support themselves, the risk of social unrest increases,” he explained, linking economic exclusion to the rise of banditry and related offences.

Beyond land, a wider social risk

Tuggar also extended his concerns to welfare issues, highlighting unpaid pensions and gratuities as another contributor to instability. According to him, when retirees are left without financial support, the ripple effects can reach entire households, increasing economic pressure on younger family members.

He warned that prolonged neglect of such obligations can indirectly push dependants toward criminal activities, including kidnapping and armed violence, as a means of survival.

In outlining his broader vision, Tuggar identified agriculture, mining, and business process outsourcing as key sectors capable of absorbing unemployed youths and reducing poverty levels. He argued that strengthening agricultural systems, alongside improving pastoral practices, could address both food security and job creation.

He also pointed to global examples, noting how countries like India have leveraged outsourcing industries to generate employment at scale. Nigeria, he said, could adopt similar strategies by investing in digital skills and creating opportunities for its growing youth population.

Ultimately, Tuggar maintained that tackling insecurity requires a more balanced and inclusive approach, one that combines economic reforms, fair land distribution, and social welfare protections.

He added that collaboration with traditional rulers and local authorities would be essential in resolving long-standing disputes at the community level, where many of these conflicts originate.

As debates around insecurity continue nationwide, his remarks highlight a recurring theme: that beyond policing, the roots of banditry may lie in deeper structural and economic imbalances that remain unresolved.

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