Farmers/herders clash: NUJ embarks on sensitisation campaign in troubled Yobe communities
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Yobe Council embarked on sensitisation to District Heads of Bade Emirate Council as part of efforts to ensure peaceful coexistence among Farmers and Herders.
The meeting was held at the District Head palace in Jakusko town of Yobe State, attended by the representative of Emir of Bade, District Head of Jakusko, Mohammed Maisale Sulayman, District Head of Gwio, District Head of Zabudum, Abubakar Sale Sulayman, District Head of Dagona, Dumburi, Lafiya, Magajin Garin Gashua, Hakimin Gogaram, Katamma and Tagali respectively.
In his opening remarks, the Secretary NUJ Yobe Council, Alhassan Sule Mamudo said that the Journalists were in the area to dialogue with the community leaders on the menace of farmers and herders disagreement “we have identified this area of having continued clash between farmers and herders overgrazing, we want to know the actual cause and how to amicably resolve it. We are so much concerned about the condition of our people and want peace to prevail”.
Also speaking, one of the resource persons, Mohammed Abubakar informed that Yobe State is in dire need of peaceful coexistence ” we’re just recovering from the trauma of Boko Haram insurgency, we need peace and unity to enhance development”.
According to him, Governor Mai Mala Buni is a lover of peace therefore there’s a need to complement his efforts and allow peace to prevail.
District Head of Gwio, Yerima Abba Kyari revealed that farmers and herders clash is not a new problem in the area adding that ” we’re always doing our best to ensure peace and overcome the lingering problem. We do advise farmers to immediately pack away their farm produce after harvest so that the animals can freely graze but sometimes the herders from Zanfara state come without notice and allow their livestock to graze overnight on people’s farm leading to conflicts”.
On his part, the District Head of Zabudum, Abubakar Sale Sulayman stated that farming operations in the area now is all around as the farmers now work during the wet and dry seasons, “We need to intensify peaceful coexistence through understanding, the traditional leaders should be allowed to discharge their social responsibilities against the use of law enforcement agents who end up stimulating another problem”. He appealed to the government to assist in safeguarding the grazing routes as a solution to the problem.
Rajab Mohammed, Chairman NUJ Yobe Council disclosed that the union is bitter about the problem of farmers and herders clash ” That is why we resolved to embark on peace advocacy and sensitization to areas prone to the clashes, we will do our best to set peace agenda”.
According to him, the Union is collaborating with the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) on the need to provide succour to the affected victims.
Earlier speaking, the District Head of Jakusko, Mohammed Maisale Sulayman welcomed the media practitioners and expressed appreciation for the support. He urged the government to assist the victims of the clash, especially the farmers whose farm produce have been destroyed.
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