The Gombe State Police Command on Monday convened a stakeholders’ engagement aimed at strengthening collaboration among communities to prevent and resolve recurring conflicts between farmers and herders across the state.
Speaking during the meeting, the Commissioner of Police, Umar Chuso, said dialogue remains the most effective approach to addressing disputes before they escalate into violence.
According to him, “A problem discussed is already half solved. That is why we brought together critical stakeholders to deliberate on the issues affecting farmers and herders with a view to finding lasting solutions.”
Chuso stressed that community leaders at all levels have a crucial role to play in promptly addressing grievances before they degenerate into crises.
“If leaders at all levels handle emerging issues before they snowball into conflicts of any magnitude, many of these clashes can be prevented and peace will be sustained,” he said.
The police commissioner noted that the nature of farmers-herders conflicts varies from one locality to another, making it necessary to adopt solutions that reflect the peculiarities of each community.
“Farmers-herders clashes differ from one locality to another. That is why we need comprehensive discussions involving all relevant stakeholders to develop practical and lasting solutions,” he added.
Chuso commended Governor Muhammadu Yahaya for establishing conflict resolution committees at various levels, describing the initiative as instrumental in reducing tensions across the state.
“The governor has laid a solid foundation through the establishment of committees at different levels to address disputes between farmers and herders. The template has significantly reduced the workload of the police and other security agencies in maintaining law and order,” he said.
Discussions during the engagement centred on major causes of conflicts, including encroachment on cattle routes by farmers, the establishment of grazing reserves and ranches, seasonal migration of livestock across state boundaries, and the need for effective mechanisms for reporting disputes before they escalate.
The meeting brought together traditional rulers, religious leaders, Fulani community leaders and senior police officers drawn from the 11 local government areas of Gombe State.
Participants pledged to strengthen cooperation with security agencies and community leaders to promote peaceful coexistence and prevent conflicts between farmers and herders.
