By Abdulazeez Sani Labaran
In a historic move aimed at fostering peaceful coexistence and enhancing food security, farmers and herders in Nafada Local Government Area of Gombe State have signed a peace accord ahead of the 2025 wet season.
The agreement was sealed during a stakeholders’ engagement organised by Youth O’Clock Nigeria, Gombe State Chapter, and brought together traditional leaders, religious groups, security agencies, civil society organisations, and local government representatives.
Under the accord, both parties pledged to maintain peace throughout the farming season. Farmers committed to preserving designated cattle routes and refraining from post-harvest bush burning, while herders vowed to respect farmlands and engage in non-violent conflict resolution.
Speaking at the event, Sarkin Fulanin Nafada, Alhaji Abdu Sarkin Fulani, lauded the initiative and promised the continued cooperation of herders. Similarly, the Chairman of Nafada Farmers Union, Alhaji Saidu Sarkin Yamma, pledged to spread the peace message among farmers across the area.
The Gombe State Police Commissioner, represented by the Divisional Police Officer in Nafada, CSP Yohanna Joel Atuman, urged all parties to uphold peace, stressing that development can only thrive in a stable environment.
Representing the Emir of Nafada, HRH Alhaji Dadun Hamza, Alhaji Sulaiman Bappah Hamza called on all stakeholders to replicate the peace dialogue at community levels, engaging district and village heads in grassroots sensitisation.
In his remarks, the State Coordinator of Youth O’Clock, Comrade Abdulazeez Sani Labaran, emphasized the organisation’s commitment to youth empowerment and peacebuilding.
He stressed that no meaningful development can occur without peace and urged communities to take ownership of their safety and discourage youth from being used to incite conflict.
The peace accord was jointly signed by representatives from the Nafada Emirate Council, Jama’atul Nasrul Islam (JNI), Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Civil Society Organisations, Gombe State Police Command, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nafada Local Government Council, and the Gombe State College of Education and Legal Studies, Nafada.
The agreement is expected to significantly reduce tensions between farmers and herders in the region, strengthen inter-communal trust, and set a model for peaceful coexistence in other parts of Gombe State and beyond.
