The Delta State government is worried about insecurity in its domain. So, it convened a stakeholder’s summit on the promotion of peaceful co-existence among pastoralists, farmers and host communities in Asaba, the state capital.
The summit, which attracted critical stakeholders, was chaired by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.
Participants included members of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, members of the legislature, traditional rulers, Non-governmental organisations, farmers and host communities.
The objective of the stakeholders summit was to aggregate the views of critical stakeholders with a view to finding lasting solutions to the lingering crisis between pastoralists and farmers.
Although discussions were largely conducted in a peaceful atmosphere, the meeting, at times, threatened to boil over as many speakers spoke with emotions.
The ball was set rolling by the Ovie of Mosogar, Udurhie 1, who commended the state government for organising the summit, stressing that but for the peace advocacy of the Delta State Government, the situation would have been worse.
He pleaded with the Hausa/Fulani leadership to reciprocate the gesture of the government by supporting the administration’s efforts at finding a peaceful solution to the clashes between herders and farmers.
The monarch pointed out that the proactive measures of the Hausa/Fulani leadership in his domain have helped quelled frayed nerves in his domain
His words: “I will like to say here that some of the leaders of the Hausa/Fulani community have been very helpful. As a matter of fact, in my kingdom, we have some of them who even assist in arresting some of their members who cause trouble in our farms. Only last week, with the help of some of the Hausa/ Fulani man, we were able to arrest Fulani man who macheted an elderly man in his farm, the man is still hospitalised”.
The royal father maintained that finding an amicable solution was the responsibility of the security agencies, traditional rulers, government and the Hausa/Fulani leadership.
On the way forward, the monarch suggested a synergy between the police, the local government council and the government and urged that the monthly security meeting at the local council chairmen be revived with the active participation of the Hausa/Fulani community.
The Delta State Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Chairman, Rev. Gideon Oyibo, lamented that a similar summit was held in 2014, adding that for another meeting to be holding was indicative that much work needed to be done in addressing the scourge.
He said: “Everybody is making efforts and yet the efforts do not seem to produce the needed results. It is when there are cases of raping, killing that we sit together and talk of dialogue. The thousands of people that have been sacked in many communities, we do not know the statistics.We have serious issues before us and these issues have to do with freedom.”
Quoting copiously from the Holy Book, Rev. Oyibo observed that the exercise of one’s right should not violate the rights of others.
According to him, “Roman 14.21says it is better for me not to eat meat or drink wine that will cause my brother to stumble”, and 1st Corinthians 9.13 says “Be careful that the exercise of your rights or freedom do not cause your brother to fall. And if the eating of meat will cause my brother to stumble I will rather not eat meat”.
He suggested a complete separation of the activities of herders and farmers, stressing that “experience has shown that the two parties cannot cohabit because their operations are parallel. The only solution is to separate them completely, that they do not have opportunity to come across themselves and interfere with each other’s source of livelihood. My freedom should not bring pains, tears, death, and poverty to other people’s live.”
A member of the Arewa Community, Mustafa Musa, urged dialogue, and suggested the formation of a committee made up of community youths, members of the Miyetti Allah group and government agencies to lead the dialogue with the herders.
He said in the event of a crisis between herders and farmers; it was usually the Miyetti Allah that often mediated.
His words: “The issue of Fulani herdsmen is a general one. Delta is a peaceful state. If Delta indigenes do not like us we will face serious problems. If Miyetti Allah members say they do not know the killer herdsmen, then it is a lie. If a cow is killed or if a herdsman has a problem, is it not the Miyetti Allah that help him solve the problem. I can remember in Ukwuani L.G.A a few years ago, a Fulani man killed someone; we helped to apprehend the culprit. If a man can speak Fulfude language, and you go and meet these herdsmen, they will listen to you .He cannot shoot you. So the talk that Miyetti Allah is helpless is not true. If we know that there are strange herdsmen in any bush, let us form a committee made up of youths, members of Miyetti Allah and government agencies to dialogue with them. I suggest that we all should come together in one accord to help solve this crisis.”
Another participant, Ebruke Esike, Executive Director, Global Peace Movement and convener, Delta State Conflict Management Alliance (DSCMA), disagreed with the claims that the herders were unknown to the Miyetti Allah, while suggesting an inclusive community surveillance approach.
According to him illegal firearms in the hands of herders should be mopped up.
He said: “I want to say that the Miyetti Allah knows the herders in the bush. Practical engagement with the herders, farmers, communities reveal that even when there are destructions the Miyetti Allah have joined us to do investigations in communities. Even when there were robbery cases in Olloa Ossissa we also saw evidence that the Miyetti Allah know majority of them, however, there are intruders…A clear evidence is the incident that happened in Alloa community. A major factor that creates insecurity and economic disempowerment of our people is because of their arms. Even if there is going to be settlement and co-existence, peace building is about human security. The arms must be mopped up, when the arms are mopped up, then we need to do strategic engagement with the herdsmen and communities and the L.G.As.”
President General, Isoko Development Union, Iduh Amadhe, slammed the Inspector-General of Police for ordering the disarming of vigilance groups in communities across the state without a corresponding order to do same with the herders.
He suggested reviving monthly security at the local government level that includes all stakeholders.
The lawmaker representing Ethiope East constituency, Mr. Evance Ivwurie, lamented that between 2015 to 2017, 11 uninvestigated homicides were recorded, and urged for a proactive approach to tackling the scourge.
He offered to mobilise his constituents with the security agencies to comb the bushes to distinguish between genuine herders and the killer herders, adding that the troublemakers in their midst be asked to leave the community.
His words: “Ethiope East in the last two year have had eleven uninvestigated homicides and not one person was arrested for the death of 11 of my constituents, but when they alleged that one Fulani herdsman was killed, they invaded my village and even had the guts to say they wanted to arrest my King, how dare you! What is going on is a special war, it is not a joke. The approach of the Delta State government has been preventive, because this is a well-organised and orchestrated, systemised action that is going on in our nation.”
Okowa decried the inability of the Federal Government to disarm Hausa/Fulani herdsmen.
He urged the Federal Government to come up with a clear cut policy direction on the issue.
As part of interim measures to address the perennial clash amongst herdsmen, farmers and host communities, Okowa urged chairmen of local government councils to set up special task force on security comprising all interest groups within one week.
He expressed concern over the fact that large cow herds are led by minors who are unable to take right decisions.
Okowa said: “Some of those who are also looking after the cows are so young that most times, they are not able to take decisions concerning the cows, as long as they carry arms and ammunitions, there is a major security issues at stake.”
He said Delta State has no land for the Federal Government’s proposed cattle colonies, disclosing that most Deltans were moving to neighbouring Edo State to farm because of inadequate land in the state.
His words: “In the next one week, we need to have an interventionist committee on security in all the local government areas of the state while we await a definite policy direction from the Federal Government. Chairmen of the local government areas must ensure that names of members of the committee gets to the office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) who is the Chairman of the Central Coordinating Committee and ensure that minutes of their inaugural meetings are also, sent to the SSG,” the Governor said, noting that it was wrong for anybody to hide under the guise of herdsmen to perpetuate crime in the state.”
Okowa urged the Police and security agencies not to be compromised in ensuring justice for all.
Delta Commissioner of Police Muhammadu Mustapha assured Deltans that their security would not be compromised in ensuring peaceful co-existence in the state.
