…..Assures of More Interventions

…… As Unidentified Herdsmen Attack Cotton Farmer at New Year.

 

4 Jan, 2025

 

The State Coordinator, Gombe L-PRES Project Prof. Usman Bello Abubakar has called on Yojiyo community of Bangu ward in Balanga LGA of Gombe state to remain law abiding despite challenges that erupted at the end of the harvest season.

 

The Project Coordinator made the call when he paid a peace building visit to the community following a conflict involving a cotton farmer called Ibrahim Isa and some unidentified herders which resulted in a lost of the farmers life.

 

Prof. Abubakar, represented by the Social Safeguard Officer to the Project Barr. Naomi Mwalin Abdu along with the Gender/GBV Officer Amamatu Abubakar and the Communication Support Officer had earlier paid a courtesy visit on the Chairman Balanga Local Government Hon. Ibrahim Salihu in his office to brief him on the purpose of the visit.

 

Barr. Naomi said, “in response to the report of an alleged conflict in Balanga LGA, the Project Coordinator has directed us to visit the affected community and engage with stakeholders in order to assess what actually happened”.

 

The Chairman who expressed appreciation for the visit commended Gombe State Governor Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya and the L-PRES Project for their concern, citing numerous interventions the Project introduced towards improving the livestock sector in the state.

 

He said the visit by the L-PRES Project team has again demonstrated their commitment and concern not only about livestock development but also about human lives and commended the Project Coordinator for the timely completion of live birds market stalls constructed at Talasse by the project to support business growth in the area.

 

The team in company of the Local Government Chairman and the Departmental security Officer (DSO) to the LGA Usman A. Waziri proceeded to the palace of the District Head of Bangu Mallam Danjuma Suleiman to interact with them about the development.

 

Speaking at the Palace Barr. Naomi Abdu said, the Project Coordinator and the National L-PRES Project office are deeply concerned about conflicts involving farmers and herders which is why the Project team is here to identify the root causes of such conflicts towards finding sustainable solutions.

Providing more insight into the tragic event the District Head of Bangu Mallam Danjuma Suleiman said on receiving the report search efforts were mounted, apprehensive of community tensions and called on people not to jump into conclusions while investigations continue.

 

He expressed gratitude to the Project for the gesture emphasizing the history of peaceful coexistence between farmers and herders which prompted traditional herders who graze their cattle in the area to express distress over the incident in fear of reprisal attack when they paid a condolence visit to sympathize with the bereaved families.

 

From the District Head palace the team visited the immediate family of the deceased and were received by mourners and sympathizers including Ibrahim father Malalam Isa.

 

He recounted how his son left home in the morning of Sunday 29th of Dec. 2024 to tend to his cotton farm but didn’t return. Concerned about his unusual absence his family reported him missing as villagers went out to search for him which resulted a dreadful discovery of a mutilated corpse in the bush far away from his farm suggesting a violent attack.

 

The DSO to the LGA Usman Waziri noted that, there was no sign of struggle near the farm, while his knife and machete were found on him. His food and water were also found untouched at his farm further suggesting that he was lured away from his farm and killed by his attackers.

 

The L-PRES Project team advised for engagement of farmers and herders to facilitate community dialogue to address grievances and build trust.

It also called for an impartial investigation to identify and prosecute those responsible and assured that the findings will be submitted to the Project Coordinator.