In a proactive step to address potential conflicts, the Katsina State Government has inaugurated an Adhoc Committee on Monitoring the Movement of Herders across the state.
The inauguration was performed on behalf of Governor Malam Dikko Umar Radda by the Secretary to the State Government (SGS), Barrister Abdullahi Garba Faskari, at his office.
Faskari explained that the ongoing harvest season has heightened concerns about possible clashes between farmers and herders, particularly as herders might inadvertently encroach on farmlands, triggering tensions. He emphasized that the committee was established to maintain harmony and prevent such incidents.
Mandate of the Committee
The committee, chaired by Alhaji Salisu Abdu, Permanent Secretary, Cabinet, and Security, has been tasked with:
1. Conducting sensitization campaigns to foster peace and understanding between farmers and herders.
2. Monitoring herders’ movements into and within the state, ensuring peaceful transit and exit.
3. Collaborating with local councils, traditional institutions, and Fulani cultural associations to develop preventive measures.
4. Providing actionable recommendations to avert clashes.
5. Co-opting relevant stakeholders to support its mission.
The committee comprises representatives from critical sectors, including the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, the Ministries of Internal Security, Home Affairs, Religious Affairs, and Agriculture.
A Timely Intervention
Barrister Faskari lauded the initiative as a bold step to forestall disputes during a sensitive agricultural period, noting that the government is committed to fostering peaceful coexistence among all groups in Katsina State.
This strategic move underlines Governor Radda’s commitment to security and harmony in the region, ensuring farmers and herders can coexist without conflict during the harvest season.