From Ardo Abdul
Bauchi State Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed has found a solution to the perennial unending conflict between Farmers and Herders of Nahutan Darazo Town in Darazo Local Government Area of the State.
The Governor, worried by the seasonal conflict, facilitated a truce between the two warring factions and urge them to live harmoniously with one another.
The truce, which was brokered after three weeks of tension and uncertainty, was reached during a peace meeting convened by Governor Bala today sunday.
While commending all parties for reaching a consensus during the meeting, Governor Bala urged people to shun all acts that could lead to violence and advised all the people to be law-abiding and to ensure they live in peace with one another,”
The governor assured that the state government is taking all necessary measures to prevent clashes between Fulani herders and farmers in Bauchi.
The meeting was attended by representatives of Fulani herders and the farming community, a House of Representative member, Mansur Manu Soro, the Local Government Council Chairman, a House of Assembly members , atraditional and community leaders.
Governor Bala also announced the constitution of a committee to look into the issues that use to bring disagreement between farmers and Hardee’s
He said the committee among other issues will re-establish the defunct cattle routes and identify grazing reserves which have not been adequately utilized. and darmarcate the areas which State Government allocated to farmers.
The Governor said not all fields allocated in Sade and Darazo forest only 2,500 hectares of land each in Sade and Darazo forest reserves was allocated for farming activities, as part of effort to get food sufficiency.
He said he heard that some lands officials ,local Government officials and traditional rulers also illegally allocated additional lands inside the reserves to other farmers for their own interest, and directed that all those illegal allocation most be revoked and frown at some farmers who use to give some hecters of farmlands allocated to them to other poor farmers on hire basis”
Governor Bala said ” if you can’t farm the land allocated to you , don’t give it to poor farmers on hire basis , or we will revock the allocation and allocated it to people who will use it for farming activities ”
He condemned the recent violence and called for calm and restraint from all parties. He assured residents that his administration would strengthen mediation efforts and adopt further measures to ensure peaceful coexistence.
The Governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to promoting security and social harmony across Bauchi State.
He said that peace remains a shared responsibility among government, community leaders, and citizens alike.
Fulani community leaders Mallam Bala and Ahmadu Laddo, explained that Darazo and Sade forest reserves areas have fertile land suitable for farming and grazing, but farmers are trying to take over all the reserve to the extent that herders can’t even get place with their livestock.
They said Forest reserves in Darazo Local Local Government are safest reserve no cattle rustling but today farmers want to force herder s out of the reserve.
They alleged that sometimes if their wives enter town some farmers attacked them , they complained to security agencies and traditional rulers.
Representative of Farmers Mallam Lawal Babayo and Mai unguwa Nadada, alleged that herders attacked them violently and injured many in their effort to prevent them from farming in their allocated farms.
They said some of them hired the farms for one farming season but since they prevent them from farming which means they may find it difficult to get bumper harvest.
They said last two years they have bumper harvest in their farms in Sade and Darazo forest reserves but this year’s herders attacked them , they reported the matter to the Police and traditional rulers
Police Commissioner Sani Omolori said a unit of policemen was deployed to maintain law and order.
Many speakers at the occasion commended The Governor’s initiative which is expected to have a positive impact by, promoting peace and stability. They called for continued collaboration and cooperation among stakeholders towards the success of this initiative.
They said “Governor Balas contribution to the peace initiative cannot be quantified, and explained that Being fair and just to all parties is what will guarantee peace and tranquillity among conflicting parties.”
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