FG Moves to End Herdsmen/Farmers Conflict

By Dipo Olowookere

Steps are already being taken by the Federal Government to put an end to the incessant clashes between farmers and herdsmen across the country.

At the end of a security meeting in Benue State recently, which was attended by Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General, Department of State Security and the Commandant-General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Minister of Interior, Mr Abdulrahman Dambazau, said the move followed the spate of attacks nationwide between both parties.

During the meeting with the Governors of Benue, Niger, Kaduna, Adamawa, Taraba and Nasarawa states, as well as the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Audu Ogbeh, the Interior Minister explained that the meeting was on the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari.

According to him, Mr Buhari ordered him to visit the affected areas, where he roundly condemned the killings and also visited the injured in hospitals, adding that he had since reported back to the President.

Mr Dambazau disclosed that the Police Mobile Force, the Army, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Police Special Force have been mobilized to curtail the attacks in vulnerable areas.

He assured Nigerians that government would take all necessary steps to rein in the spate of criminal activities in the country, as the provision of security is the major responsibility of government.

The Minister stated that government was working to end the spate of attacks in the farming communities, reiterating government’s commitment to promoting peace and harmonious existence in those communities.

Also, speaking, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Audu Ogbeh, said the Federal Government would soon establish the Agro-Rangers corps, which officers would provide security to farming communities in the country.