Oyo farmers, Fulani herdsmen, parley on peaceful co-habitation

FARMERS in Oyo state and Fulani herdsmen have met to discuss how to peacefully cohabit without rancour and incessant killings.
At the well-attended meeting convened by the State Commissioner of Police, Leye Oyebade, the two groups agreed to live peacefully with each other while expressing their grievances against each other.

Specifically, the farmers accused herdsmen of grazing on their crops without restriction, rape their women, threaten them and sometimes use dangerous weapons to rob innocent commuters along several roads within the state.
On their part, the herdsmen accused the farmers of killing their animals by poisoning the water, which their cattle drink.

They also alleged that those troubling the farmers and committing crime are non-resident herdsmen and strangers who are non-challant about the farmers and residents.

In a communique issued at the end of the meeting, the groups resolved to live together as they have been doing but with a renewed pledge to respect each other in the process of conducting their personal businesses.
They also outlawed grazing at night, personal disarmament by herdsmen, stoppage of threats, rape and intimidation.

The parties also agreed to expose any stranger or strange herdsmen who wander into their communities and hold regular meetings for exchange of information among stakeholders.
The communique also called on the government to set aside land for cattle ranch for herdsmen as well as train them for peaceful co-existence with host communities.

Oyebade while addressing the parties reminded them that every Nigerian is entitled to rights as entrenched in the constitution.
He said though crises may sometimes arise, parties must always find a way to dialogue and find the solutions so that people can continue to live together peacefully.

He, however, warned herdsmen against carrying firearms in the course of their business, saying anyone caught with firearms would be treated as a criminal.