Jigawa wades into farmers/herders’ feud

Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State has inaugurated a 20-man committee, 10 each from farmers and nomads, and charged it to entrench peaceful coexistence and mutual understanding to end the lingering farmers/ herders feud in the state.

“The lingering Guri communal disturbances is worrisome; hence, government has resolved to put measures to ensure peaceful living in our community,” he stated, yesterday.

According to him, government found it necessary to collaborate with all the relevant security agencies and stakeholders in achieving the desired objectives.

Namadi promised to revert all conflicting grazing reserves, quite often termed as battle field for farmers and nomads, adding that six of the eight grazing reserves belong to the state government, while two belong to the Federal Government.

Upon a revert of the reserves, he stressed, the state government would ensure the provision of animal feed, water, among other needs to the nomads, warning that, henceforth, no one would be allowed to farm in those reserves.

Also, the government promised to look into the possibility of allocating lands in other forest reserves to the farmers across the state, as part of measures to foster peaceful coexistence among farmers and herders.

Guru Local Council Chairman, Alh. Musa Shuaibu, commended the state government for coming up with the security committee idea to foster peace and assured of his council’s readiness to ensure compliance and support at all times.

Responding, the Security Committee Chairman, who is also the SarkinFulanin Hadejia, Abubakar Usman, sought the cooperation of all relevant stakeholders for the success of the committee, and promised to do justice to all parties without prejudice.

On his part, National Chairman of 17 Coalition of Fulani Groups in Nigeria, Yau Madori, said the idea was informed by the need to coopt farmers and herders from the grassroots into the peace process.

“We will lend helping hands for the committee’s success,” he assured.