Nigeria’s farmers, herders tasks FG on security ahead of farming season

Nigeria’s farmers, herders tasks FG on security ahead of farming season

NIGERIA

Farmers and herders in Nigeria’s Riyom and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas of Plateau State at the weekend tasked the federal government to step up security in their communities even as the rainy season sets in.

Speaking at the end of a three-day workshop organised by a Non-Governmental Organisation, ‘Search for Common Ground’ (SFCG), participants at the training said to effect a speedy response to crisis situation, security operatives must be ready to react to early warning signs.

With the theme “Conflict Transformation, Human Rights and Dialogue Training” the Project Officer, SFCG, Isiyaku Shuaibu, said the focus of the training is aimed at building the capacity of farmers and herders to respond to key conflict issues, thereby averting conflict threats in communities.

Shuiabu said, “As the rainy season is approaching, there will be potential conflict between farmers and herders as farmers will be going back to their farms while herders will be seeking for greener pastures to feed their animals.

“For this reason we decided to hold this training to bring key stakeholders together to build their capacity in other to respond to any key conflict.

“We know that conflict is within us and it is inevitable as we are constantly living with it but our response to conflict will determine its outcome”, Shuiabu said.

On his part, a Human Right Principal Research Officer, Human Rights Commission Plateau State, Mr. Alumbo Innocent, said farmers and herders should stop taking laws into their hands but must learn to respect the fundamental right to life. 

Alumbo who is also a facilitator at the workshop, said if people know their rights and respects each other’s right, the society will be better for it.

He advised that rather than disrespecting each other’s right to life, people should report conflicts situations to relevant security agencies.

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