Causes of Cattle Theft in the North West Region of Cameroon Manu I.N1, Andu W.N1,3, Tarla D.N.2 and Agharih W.N3

Full Length Research Paper Causes of cattle theft in the North West Region of Cameroon Manu I.N1, Andu W.N1,3, Tarla d.N.2 and Agharih W.N3

1Department of Rural Sociology and Agricultural Extension, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences (FASA), University of Dschang, Cameroon; 2Department of Plant Protection, FASA, University of Dschang, Cameroon; 3SODEPA Bamenda.

Accepted 31 March, 2014

Pastoralists have developed over the years coping strategies with the support of various technical services, but a new system of predatory exploitation of socio-economic resources in the form of cattle theft has emerged. This study was conducted to elucidate the causes of cattle theft in the North West Region of Cameroon. A sample of 297 pastoralists proportionately distributed based on the number of pastoralists in each Division (147 Fulani, 147 Non Fulani and 06 others) were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Data collected was analysed using SPSS software. Descriptive as well as inferential statistical methods were used to sort and analyse the data. An increase in the number of herd-less Fulani pastoralists was identified as the main cause of cattle theft while the principal actors of cattle theft was a mixture of both the Fulani and Non Fulani. Government should train and employ herd- less Fulanis to reduce cattle theft.

Key words: Cattle, Fulani, North West Region, pastoralists, rustling.

INTRODUCTION

Cameroon is a big agricultural country and occupies to 2010). All aspects of pastoral social andeconomic life are this effect a good position in the Central African Sub linked to livestock and the environment in which they live. Region. The contribution of livestock to the growth In pastoralist societies, cattle hold a central value and are domestic product (GDP) in Central African countries was the basis of association in a complex of social, political estimated at 27 % in Chad, 9 % in Central African and religious institutions. The system depends largely on Republic and 13 % in Cameroon (IIED, 2010. The the availability of water and the distribution, quality and contribution to GDP is 9% from livestock and 5% from access to pasture. All over the world, pastoral systems fisheries for Cameroon (SSSEPIA, 2011). Intra-Regional support the livelihoods of millions of people living in harsh trade in livestock and livestock products is a feature of environments where alternative land use systems are this Sub Region with these three countries having the highly risky or simply not possible. The government of opportunity to export to the Republic of Congo, Gabon, Cameroon adopted a rural sector development strategy Equatorial Guinea, and Sao Tome and Principe. in 2005 which was modified and included in the Growth The major agricultural, livestock and forestry sub and Employment Strategy Paper (GESP) in 2010. In this sectors of the rural sector play an irreplaceable socio- strategy it was noted that its agriculture/livestock was in economic role each in its sphere of production and bring bad shape, structurally unable to feed the Cameroonian a major contribution to the national economy. Livestock population and many obstacles to production were constitute for 30% of the active rural population, their identified. The strategy adopted was aimed at ensuring main source of livelihood (GESP, 2010; Revised SDSR, food security and self-sufficiency for households and the nation, contribute to economic growth and particularly to the growth of foreign trade and employment, increase the income of rural producers, improve the living conditions of *Corresponding author. E-mail:[email protected] the rural population while ensuring a sustainable use of the Scholarly J. Agric. Sci. 182

natural capital as the production base (GESP,2010).One Region. Administratively the North West Region is of the major policies of the development of the livestock divided into seven Divisions namely: Boyo, Bui, Donga sub sector is centred on the increase of the efficiency of Mantung, Menchum, Mezam, Momo and Ngoketunjia the traditional livestock production and the emerging respectively with the following administrative capitals: modern livestock production. In order to satisfy the Fundong, Kumbo, Nkambe, Wum, Bamenda, Mbengwi nutritional needs of the population and export surpluses, and Ndop. Bamenda is the headquarters of the North the strategy consists of promoting the development of the West Region. production of short cycle species as well as facilitating The topography of the Region varies greatly from and promoting the creation of medium and large scale depressions lower than 400m to high mountains 3000 m ranches for cattle production. high. This topography can be classified into three main Pastoralism is plagued by several problems and in the zones: the lower altitude (<900m); the mid altitude (900- North West Region some of the constraints to livestock 1500m) and the high altitude (˃1500m). The climate is production are farmer-grazier conflicts (Manu et al., greatly influenced by the topography; it is described as a 2014), diseases as well as water and pasture scarcity tropical transitional climate from the rainy humid and (Nji, 1995). Of these constraints to cattle production, it continuously warm climate in the South to the extremely has been observed that diseases are on a downward changeable (in terms of rainfall and temperature) but trend as exemplified by the eradication of Rinderpest in relatively dry and hot climate of the North. The high Cameroon in 2010 coupled with the fact that there is a mountainous areas are cold (<15 C̊ ) such as Ndu and better understanding and settlement of farmer –grazier Nkambe whereas the low altitude zones are hot (average disputes and reduction of movement of animals on 27 ̊C) such as Ndop plain and Ako Sub Division. There transhumance in search of water and pasture. In these are two distinct seasons: The rainy season (mid-March to pastoralist communities farmers and herders live close to mid-October) and the dry season (mid-October to mid- each other and there is mutual understanding in sharing March).The effect of climate change is responsible for the production resources. variations noticed within the recent past. Annual rainfall Cattle theft or rustling is manifesting itself in various varies from 1300 mm in the Ndop plain to over 3000 mm forms and it is becoming endemic in the North West at Awing and Oku. Region. Traditionally, cattle rustling among the pastoral The vegetation is as a result of the prevailing climate, communities in other parts of the world were considered altitude, soil conditions and human activities on the as a cultural practice which was sanctioned and environment. In the lower transitional zone and low controlled by the elders. Yet, over a period of time there altitude areas savanna is covered with wood, shrubs and have emerged new trends, tendencies and dynamics, lower mountain forests mostly along the rivers. In the leading to commercialization and internationalization of highland zone, we have grassland vegetation that is the practice contrary to the views of early scholars who derived from mountainous forests. The Region falls within trivialize cattle rustling as a mere cultural practice. the typical savannah zone covered predominantly with To a large extent, it is the general view that the cattle grass but around plains such the Mbembe, Fura Awa and rustling has undergone fundamental transformation from Widikum areas, the vegetation is predominantly forest. a cultural practice of testing a person’s personal bravery With this climate, topography and vegetation, the North and prowess to bloody warfare between various groups West Region is an excellent zone for animal husbandry. or communities. All these pose serious challenges to There exist the extensive, semi-intensive and intensive societal structures, survival, as well as moral foundations types of animal husbandry which involve large ruminants (Salih, 1992). In the North West Region, the (cattle), small ruminants (goats and sheep), pigs, poultry administration has been trying to expose the cattle-theft- and non-conventional livestock. A lot of the extensive mafia but little or no information is available on causes of cattle production is practiced in Donga Mantung, cattle theft in the North West Region of Cameroon. This Menchum, Bui, Boyo, Momo and Mezam Division. The study therefore identifies the principal causes of cattle Ndop plain in Ngoketunjia Division serves as an theft. important transhumance zone for the cattle population from neighbouring Divisions and the West Region.

METHODOLOGY Survey Presentation of the North West Region The descriptive survey research design was used for this The North West Region lies between latitudes 5˚ 45’ and study which entailed a sample of the pastoralists of the 9˚ 9’N longitudes 9 ˚13’ and 11˚ 13’E. It covers an area of North West Region of Cameroon was studied. This study about 17400 km² and it is bordered in the North and West used a combination of three (03) sampling techniques; by the Republic of Nigeria, in the South by the West and stratified, multistage cluster and random sampling South West Regions and in the East by the Adamawa techniques. The population of the study was the Manu et al. 183

Table 1: Target Pastoralists and envisaged proportionate sample size

Division Target population Sample size Total Percentage (%) Fulani Non-Fulani Fulani Non-Fulani Total % pastoralist Pastoralist pastoralist Pastoralist Boyo 515 34 22 03 25 8.3 Bui 688 613 30 58 88 29.3 Donga Mantung 1011 277 44 26 70 23.3 Menchum 400 48 17 05 22 7.3 Mezam 445 310 19 30 49 16.3 Momo 198 176 9 17 26 8.7 Ngoketunjia 209 117 9 11 20 6.7 Total 3466 1575 150 150 300 100 Source: Field data pastoralists of the North West Region. The stratified (quantitative data) while qualitative data were sorted, sampling technique was used to separate two summarized and interpreted according to set objectives homogenous sub groups (Fulani and Non- and hypotheses to compliment quantitative data. This Fulanipastoralists). Within the homogenous sub groups, a qualitative or discrete data were sorted out according to multistage cluster sampling technique was used to the nature of the responses (simple or multiple). determine the number of each group. Finally, a random Descriptive statistics and statistical tests (x2 test and t- sampling technique was used to select the corresponding test) were used to infer. Correspondence analysis to number of respondents. The number of respondent per assess the relationship among variables (correlation) was strata was 150 (Table 1). The second stage consisted in also used to define homogeneous groups of responses of determining the number of pastoralist to be selected from respondents. each Division and sub Division which was proportionate to the number of pastoralists in that Division and Sub Division. After selecting these numbers per Division and Results and discussion Sub Division, the next stage consisted in randomly selecting the proportionate number of pastoralists from Return of questionnaires the list of pastoralists per Division and Sub Division.A total number of 150 Fulani pastoralists and 150 Non- The overall return rate of questionnaires for the study Fulani pastoralists were selected randomly to answer the stands at 98%. Out of the 300 questionnaires envisaged questionnaires. Consequently, the sample size was 300 for the study, 297 were judged to be good for the study respondents from an estimated population of 5041 (Table 2). Demographic distribution of the respondents pastoralists (6%). according to Divisions indicates a proportionate sharing Data were collected between the months of September of the sample size in recognition of the number of Fulani and December 2012 from the pastoralists. The tool used as well as the Non Fulani pastoralists in the North West for primary data collection was structured questionnaire Region. Bui Division has the highest number of which were administered to different pastoralists. The respondents (27.5%) as well as Non Fulani Pastoralists questionnaire included both open and closed ended (34.0%). Donga Mantung Division on the other hand has questions. the highest number of Fulani respondents (25.9%) and The questionnaires were pre-tested during the month of second Non Fulani respondents (23.5%). Ngoketunjia September in Sabga, a village in Tubah Sub Division Division has the least number of respondents (6.5 %) after which the structure of the questionnaire was while Menchum division had the least number of Non modified. In consultation with the Supervisor after the test Fulani Pastoralist (4.1%) in the North West Region. of the questionnaire, it was validated. The language used To determine the general profile of the respondents, in the administration of the questionnaires was Pidgin social demographic data (tribe, age, sex, educational and Fulfulde. level, marital status, size of household, source of first Basically, the questionnaire was divided into three livestock, non livestock breeding income, main source of parts. Part one dealt with the identification of the income and residence of pastoralist) of the respondents. pastoralist; part two was concerned with the socio- Only one woman was involved in the study. Respondents economic characteristics of the respondent while part without formal education represented 41.15% (61.9% for three dwelled on the causes of cattle theft. Fulani respondents and 20.4% for Non Fulani Data collected were manually stripped, coded and after respondents); those with primary education represented quality control entered into SPSS Statistics 17 (Statistical 35.75% (25.9% for Fulani respondents and 45.6% for Package for Social Sciences) for statistical analysis Non Fulani); those with secondary education are 12.6% Scholarly J. Agric. Sci. 184

Table 2: Return Rate of Questionnaires/Division of Origin

Division Fulani Non-Fulani Total Frequency Valid % Frequency Valid % Frequency Valid % Boyo 23 15.6 8 5.4 31 10.5 Bui 30 20.4 50 34 80 27.5 Donga Mantung 38 25.9 31 21.1 69 23.5 Menchum 18 12.2 6 4.1 24 8.2 Mezam 22 15.0 26 17.7 48 16.3 Momo 7 4.8 16 10.9 23 7.8 Ngoketunjia 9 6.1 10 6.8 19 6.5 Total 147 100 147 100 294 100 Source: Field Data and respondents with high school education are 7.45% This illegal trade is facilitated by the poor control of the while University education represents only 3.05%. The movement of cattle and whole or part carcasses from one average number of years of formal training for Fulani place to another (18%) thus encouraging more respondents is 3.3% far below the primary educational theft.Insecurity in grazing communities (14%) which was level which was 7.7% for Non Fulani respondents. encouraged by the consumption of alcohol, drugs and The respondents attributed low education to the few zeal for women, taking up new forms of lifestyle seen schools found within accessible distances of the pastoral especially during feast days is a contributing factor to communities. The pastoralists still practice transhumance cattle theft. The disputes between Fulani and Non Fulani lifestyles and move from one place to another, making it pastoralist was not a major cause of cattle theft difficult for some children who prefer to follow animals to contributing only 3%. transhumance areas than to attend and complete school. When there was an occurrence of cattle theft, there A majority of cattle owners were married (98.6%) and was always a primary suspect. From the analysis of the acquired their animals from their parents (inheritance) gift data collected in this survey 41.9% of the respondent or bought them. About a fifth of the Fulanis depend only thought that their cattle was stolen by a cattle theft on the cattle for income while 34% are primarily traders syndicate, 27.48% pointed fingers at the herdsman while and 30% are crop growers. For non-Fulanis, 39% were 24.3% attributed the action to any of the causes crop growers, 22% were traders and 12% do not have mentioned above. In rare cases (6.3%), suspects were another source of income. A tenth of non-Fulanis was relatives of the cattle owner. either in active service from the civil service or retired The culprits involved in cattle theft were identified in while 2% of Fulanis were civil servants and less than 1% few cases (41.86 %) and never identified in a majority of retired from public service. cases (58.15%). This means that the chances to identify For Fulanis, cattle rearing contributed 90% of their culprits of theft were very low. income while Non-Fulanis get only 60% from the activity. In 41.20% of cases, culprits were identified. The Four-fifth (80%) of Fulani respondents preferred to stay composition of the gang involved in cattle theft is an far away from urban areas with their animals in contrast important element to determine who are those involved in to Non Fulani respondents (76.9%) who stay away from the network for cattle theft. When the culprits are the cattle and these animals are being taken care of by identified, there is now the possibility to know those the herdsman. Varieties of responses were given for the implicated. The network is composed of both Fulani and causes of cattle rustling in the North West Region of Non Fulani (54.70%) while 43.20% implicates only the Cameroon (Table 3). Fulani pastoralists (Figure 1). Only 2.10% implicated only With a recapitulation of the causes of cattle theft, the the Non Fulani pastoralists. This meaned that the Fulani respondents ranked two-fifths the increase number of pastoralists were at the centre of cattle theft with the herd-less pastoralist as the major cause of cattle theft in compliance of other actors whom the respondents named grazing communities followed by lack of alternative as butchers, some transporters, some forces of law and sources of livelihood (25%) in the North West Region. order and the services of MINEPIA as well as the Pastoralists who have lost their cattle due to one reason judiciary. The contribution of these administrations, law or the other have no inheritance to pass to their children. enforcement officers and the judiciary is their failure to They become herdsmen themselves and are unable to sanction suspect of cattle theft. This encouraged the send their children to school. This had a multiplier effect perpetrators to continue in their illegal activities without which was manifested in the form of an increase in the being punished. number of herd-less pastoralists who has no alternative Most herdsmen are herd-less Fulani pastoralist (76%) source of living. These pastoralists resorted to at the time of cattle theft. Only 20% were Non Fulani unorthodox means of living one of which is cattle theft. Pastoralists. This therefore implicated the Fulani Manu et al. 185

Table 3.Causes of cattle theft in the North West Region of Cameroon.

N° Cause Frequency Percentage(%) 1 Increase number of herd-less Fulani pastoralists Exhibition of jealousy, hatred and wickedness on those possessing cattle 162 28.2% Is a Poverty-driven action due to loss of cattle 60 10.4% Mismanagement of herds by Fulani pastoralists 3 0.5% Lost inheritance by Fulani pastoralists 5 0.9% Total 230 40% 2 No alternative means of livelihood within grazing communities A lot of unemployed youths in grazing communities 60 10.6% Most pastoralists are reluctant to do any other work 46 8.2% Most pastoralists are not educated to be self employed 35 6.2% Total 141 25% 3 No proper control of the movement of cattle and whole or part of the carcasses from 23 3.9% one place to another Poor remuneration for the herdsmen 19 3.2% Unscrupulous butchers who are ready to buy stolen cattle 42 7.1% Children as herdsmen (child labour) 12 2.0% Straying of cattle 10 1.7% Total 106 18% 4 Insecurity in grazing communities due to:- Consumption of drugs, alcohol and high affinity for women 27 4.7% New form of lifestyles that are not habitual 35 6.1% Celebration of feast days 18 3.2% Total 80 14% 5 Disputes between Fulani and non Fulani herders Farmer-grazier disputes 2 0.4% Crises in neighbouring country 4 0.7% Non organization or cooperation of graziers 8 1.4% Fulani want total control over grazing 3 0.5% Total 17 3.0 % Source: Field Data

Figure 1: Distribution of the composition of cattle theft syndicate herdsmen to be at the centre of cattle theft mafia in the Fulani pastoralists. North West Region. This might be true considering the Studies carried out by Markakis (1993) in Kenya, Ocan fact that the profession of cattle herding is dominated by (1994) in North Western Uganda and; Dzimba and Scholarly J. Agric. Sci. 186

20% Fulani

Non-Fulani

76% Both

Figure 2. Distribution of the herdsman at the time of cattle theft

Malooane (2005) in Lesotho point to the fact that cattle Schilling et al. (2012) confirmed that conflicts related to theft practices are cultural activities conducted as a result livestock raiding are not new phenomena in many of the depletion of livestock in a community. pastoral societies in the Horn of Africa but it has moved Consequently, cattle rustling are carried out to replenish from its traditional form and has become more frequent, the lost animals under the control of the social norms of violent and destructive. Commercialized livestock raiding the community. But another cause of cattle rustling which in which wealthy businessmen, politicians, traders and has become more entrenched in the last few decades is local people pursue economic objectives has interfered that of self-acquisition motives. Raids motivated by such with pastoral livelihoods and contributed to conflicts tendencies do not occur as a response to ecological or among pastoral communities (Eaton, 2010; Mkutu, 2010; natural calamities. Such raids occur at any time with the Kaimbaetal., 2011). Eaton (2010) showed that cattle theft aim of acquiring animals for commercial purposes and was coordinated by a network of individuals comprising individual gain. While the first category of raids hinges on herdsmen, other pastoralists, relations of the cattle communal interests and is monitored by the community owners, transporters (trucks and even taxis for through social norms, the latter is based entirely on slaughtered animals), some technical and law private interests and is controlled by armed kraal leaders. enforcement authorities and the animals finally end up This has led to the emergence of cattle warlords. Cattle with the butchers who are the businessmen. rustling were not cultural activity in the North West Region of Cameroon compared to the situation in the Horn of Africa (Kenya, Uganda, Lesotho, and Somalia). CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION In these areas, there was rampant inter-tribal or inter community conflicts. Therefore, cattle theft in the North This study reveals that two-fifth of cattle theft is attributed West Region is practiced purely as a commercial activity to herd-less Fulanis while a quarter are conducted as and for individual gains (Schilinget al., 2012). alternative means of living in the grazing communities. Dzimba and Matooane (2005) point out that stock theft From the analysis of the data collected in this survey are not only committed by unemployed or poor 41.9% of the respondent think that their cattle was stolen individuals but also by well organized groups that have by a cattle theft syndicate, 27.48% think it was the sound financial and asset backing. These groups are herdsman while 24.3 think that it any of the above that often wealthy enough to move animals by means of was at the centre of the theft. In rare cases (6.3%), trucks and trailers. Stock theft is also encouraged by the suspects are relatives of the cattle owner. The culprits ease with which stolen animals can be traded. Stolen involved in cattle theft were identified in few cases (41.86 stock is sold without the necessary documentation to %) and never identified in a majority of cases (58.15%). individuals for immediate use in communal celebrations At the time of theft, 81.1% of herdsmen are Fulani’s. and funerals and also to butchers at very low prices. Government should train and employ herd-less Fulani’s To buttress the study by Dzimba and Matooane (2005), to reduce cattle theft. Manu et al. 187

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