By Muftau Ogunyemi
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Ondo State has called on stakeholders to mitigate farmers/herders conflict for sustainable peace and economic development in the country.
Mr Oluyemi Ibiloye, NSCDC State Commandant, made the call at a stakeholder engagement and training on mitigation of farmers/herders conflict for sustainable peace in Akure South and North Local Government Areas of Ondo State.
The two-day event was organised by the Partners for Peace in the Niger Delta (P4P) in collaboration with the NSCDC Ondo State Command on Friday in Akure.
Ibiloye commended P4P for its commitment to peace building and development across the Niger Delta region, saying the persistent clashes between farmers and herders was not peculiar to Ondo State alone.
According to him, the clashes are a national problem and NSCDC can not do it alone because the complexity of farmers/herders conflict demands the collective effort of all stakeholders.
“Sustainable peace can only be achieved when each group, including farmers, herders, traditional rulers, community leaders, government agencies, civil society organisations and security operatives understand their role and commit to working together.
“As we are approaching the dry season, there is tendency that herders will start coming from the North towards the South, so we want to fashion ways to avoid intending conflicts between them.
“When peace is broken, farmlands are abandoned, markets are disrupted and families are thrown into economic hardship.
“Ultimately, the state’s agricultural output, food security and internally generated revenue suffer significantly,” he said.
Also, Mrs Stella-Ikeokwu Nathaniel, P4P State Coordinator, said the collaboration was part of the organisation’s mandate to identify a peaceful and galvanised approach, with action and implemention towards achieve peace building.
“This the time for everyone to rise up and joins hands with the security agents to find a lasting solution to the clash between farmers and herders for the betterment of the country’s peace and development.
“Issues of insecurity should not be left in hands of security agents alone, every individual should be involved in peace, beginning with you and I,” Nathaniel said.
Similarly, Mr Olugbega Atiba, Senior Special Adviser on Security Matters to Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State, commended NSCDC for its role in curbing the activities of kidnappers in the state’s forest.
He promised the government’s continuous commitment and support to all the security agencies in the state, saying farmers and herders clashes remained one of the most pressing internal security challenges confronting the country.
Meanwhile, Mr Abayomi Monilari, Chairman, Ondo State Farmers Congress, applauded the organisers for the initiative.
Monilari, represented by Mr Oni Temitope, Ifedore Local Government Area Chairman of the Congress, said farmers were going through a lot.
“Today, we hear that farmers are being kidnapped, another day, farmers are being killed or their farms destroyed by the herders and their cows.
“But with this stakeholders engagement, it will proffer reasonable solutions to the conflicts between the farmers and herders, especially in the state,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, the Deji of Akure; Muslim community, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), youths, among others, were represented in the meeting. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)