14 December, 2024.

 

The State Coordinator Gombe State L-PRES Project Prof. Usman Bello Abubakar has participated in an expanded stakeholders security meeting comprising security agencies and community leaders towards identifying root causes and proffering solutions over the recent conflict between farmers and herders in Yamaltu Local Government Area of Gombe state.

 

The meeting which took place at the Emir of Deba palace HRH Alhaji Ahmed Usman Muhammed was organized by the emirate following clashes between farmers and herders at Lano community which resulted in the death of one person and few injured.

 

Addressing participants, the Divsional Police Officer to the LGA, Mr. Ibrahim Salisu Abdu said the purpose of the meeting was to address emerging security challenges in the LGA particularly the recent conflict at Lano community between farmers and headers.

 

During the meeting, the DPO, DSS Chief to the LGA Alhaji Garba, the Sector Commander Nigerian Army Dadin Kowa, Captain Adamu Buhari and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Divisional Officer to the LGA Alice Pisaghi all expressed disappointment over the incident and lamented that despite several efforts made by security agencies to maintain peaceful co-existence, community leaders and their subjects have yet allowed such dastardly acts to occur.

 

They charged community leaders to verify the status of visitors coming to their communities and warned against harboring suspicious characters urging them to report such elements immediately to security agencies.

 

In his remarks, the Coordinator Gombe L-PRES Project who was represented by the Social Safeguard officer to the Project Barr. Naomi Abdu said the scope of conflicts between farmers and herders in the country is alarming in recent years, quoting recent research which attributed the conflicts to increase in population, reduced grazing lands and effects of climate change among others, causing large hordes of pastoralist to move in search of fodder for their cattle resulting in animal straying into farmlands and destroying crops.

 

He said, it was in recognition of these challenges that Gombe L-PRES Project introduced various interventions including construction of earth dams, solar powered bore-holes in livestock farming communities and distribution of fodder seedlings to support livestock farmers in the state.

 

“The project is deeply concerned about the economic and social impact of such conflicts that the project deem it fit come here and participate in this crucial security meeting so as to identify the root causes and issues surrounding the recent conflict “. He said.

 

He hinted that, the Gombe State Government under the L-PRES Project with support from the World Bank has awarded a contract for re-survey and demarcation of 37 cattle routes and 8 grazing reserves in the state as part of efforts to reduce incessant conflicts between farmers and headers that has caused loses of lives and property.

 

He noted that the project has inaugurated conflict management and mediation committee’s at state and local government levels for stakeholders to amicably prevent and respond to crop farmers/herders conflicts.

 

while pleading with aggrieved parties to exercise restraint Prof. Abubakar assured the meeting, that the project will submit its report to both the parent ministry and National L-PRES Project Coordinator and the World Bank for further observation.

 

Community leaders who spoke at the meeting agreed to work together with security agencies and pledged to report anyone found wanting against government efforts in promoting peaceful co- existence in their communities.

 

The Divisional Police Officer to the LGA Mr Ibrahim Salisu Abdu added that security agencies will work closely to monitor further developments and charged community leaders to cooperate with relevant stakeholders towards finding a lasting solution to conflicts between herders and farmers in the local government.

 

Earlier the L-PRES team comprising the Social Safeguard Officer Barr. Naomi Mwalin Abdu, the Project Engineer Sameer Shehu, the Gender Officer Amamatu Abubakar and the Communication Umar Baba Kumo had paid a courtesy on the local Government Chairman Hon. Abubakar Hassan Difa.

They were received by the Secretary to the LGA Aliyu Ibrahim and the Departmental Security Officer Saidu Mele who represented the local Government at the security meeting.