The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Ondo State has called on stakeholders to mitigate farmer-herder conflict for sustainable peace and economic development in the country.

NSCDC commandant in Ondo, Oluyemi Ibiloye, made the call at a stakeholders’ engagement and training on the mitigation of farmer/herder conflict for sustainable peace in the Akure South and North Local Government Areas of Ondo State.

The two-day event was organised by Partners for Peace in the Niger Delta (P4P), in collaboration with the NSCDC Ondo State Command, on Friday in Akure.

Mr Ibiloye commended P4P for its commitment to peacebuilding and development across the Niger Delta region, saying the persistent clashes between farmers and herders are a national problem.

He said the NSCDC cannot do it alone because the complexity of the farmers/herders conflict demands the collective effort of all stakeholders.

“Sustainable peace can only be achieved when each group, including farmers, herders, traditional rulers, community leaders, government agencies, civil society organisations and security operatives, understands their role and commits to working together.

“As we are approaching the dry season, there is a tendency that herders will start coming from the north towards the south, so we want to fashion ways to avoid intending conflicts between them.

“When peace is broken, farmlands are abandoned, markets are disrupted, and families are thrown into economic hardship.

“Ultimately, the state’s agricultural output, food security, and internally generated revenue suffer significantly,” he said.

Also, Stella-Ikeokwu Nathaniel, P4P state coordinator, said, “This is the time for everyone to rise up and join hands with the security agents to find a lasting solution to the clash between farmers and herders for the betterment of the country’s peace and development.

“Issues of insecurity should not be left in the hands of security agents alone; every individual should be involved in peace, beginning with you and me,” Ms Nathaniel said.

Similarly, Olugbega Atiba, the senior special adviser on security matters to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State, commended the NSCDC for its role in curbing kidnappings in the state’s forests.

He promised the government’s continued commitment and support to all security agencies in the state, saying farmer-herder clashes remain one of the most pressing internal security challenges confronting the country.

Meanwhile, Abayomi Monilari, chairman of the Ondo State Farmers Congress, said farmers were going through a lot.

Mr Monilari, represented by Oni Temitope, the Ifedore Local Government Area chairman of the congress, decried that farmers are being kidnapped, killed, or having their farms destroyed by the herders and their cows.

Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, the Deji of Akure; the Muslim community; the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN); Civil Society Organisations (CSOs); and youths, among others, were represented at the meeting.

(NAN)