Stakeholders in Benue State have insisted that a deeper collaboration between government, Security agencies and Civil Society Organizations among other institutions will reduce the incidences of herder/farmer crisis to the barest minimum.
The stakeholders, comprising of representatives of Benue state government, the police, DSS, Immigration,Civil Defence, traditional rulers, civil society organizations and human right groups, farmers, herders as well as People With Disabilities,
made this recommendation at a Peace Architecture Dialogue meeting called by Search for Common Ground, an international NGO working for peace in Benue.
They noted that incidences of herder/farmer crisis and other vices heightening insecurity in the state have continued to linger due to lack of honesty, transparency and cooperation among various institutions and higher authorities within the state.
The stakeholders, who commended security agencies for their work also condemned the unhealthy role played by some “big men” especially when culprits are arrested and handed over to the police.
It was reported at the meeting that when culprits are arrested, some “big men” will use their influence to release them back into the society even before the case is investigated, a situation they observed was encouraging crimes and criminalities in the state.
They said as a way out, government, security agencies and all stakeholders should synergize to nip this act in the bud.
The stakeholders, who noted that every traditional ruler or community leader knows his subjects and what they are capable of, sugggested that government should make a pronouncement of dethronement on any traditional leader found to be shielding criminals from the law.
They also urged authorities to recruit both farmers and herders into vigilance groups for easy identification of strangers and criminals in their various communities just as they also called for attitude change and the will to accept change to enable peace return to the state.
The State Project Coordinator for Search, Mr. Joshua Chorbe said Search for Common ground has continued to create understanding, social integration and pathway to sustainable peace among farmers and herders in Benue.
He said the aim of the meeting is to seek ways to engender peace through collaborative and cooperative approaches that will stop the crisis, usher in enduring changes and peace in the state.
Mr. Chorbe urged PAD members to use their organizations to carry out advocacies in their domain.
Search is working to transform the herder/farmer conflict and promote freedom of religion and belief in Nigeria’s Middle Belt.
