Following reported cases of farmers and herders clashes in parts of Bida Emirate, the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, has directed all communities under the Emirate to establish committees, comprising both farmers and nomads to prevent the recurring conflicts between the two groups.
He gave the directive at the weekend during a forum in Bida with the local government council chairmen, district heads and village heads in the Emirate Council.
The eminent monarch, who is also the chairman, Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, posited that the recurring farmer-herder clashes posed a serious threat to peaceful coexistence, agricultural activities and the livelihoods of the communities.
He stressed the need for urgent and collective action to prevent the situation from escalating while calling for strict enforcement of the state grazing law, particularly the provision requiring a four-foot corridor for herders, as well as stronger collaboration between village heads and leaders of nomadic communities.
The Etsu Nupe also advocated the deployment of the forest guards to monitor designated grazing routes, prevent encroachment and protect farmlands from destruction, saying that sustainable peace between farmers and herders can only be achieved through respect for the law, continuous dialogue, and effective use of community-based structures.
The monarch urged traditional and community leaders to discharge their responsibilities with fairness and sincerity, guided by “the fear of God rather than the fear of man.”
In his remarks, the chairman of Mokwa local government area, Alhaji Jibrin Abdullahi Muregi, who spoke on behalf of the other council chairmen, commended the Etsu Nupe for the initiative and pledged their support for its successful implementation.
Muregi, however, appealed to the emirate council to provide a clear template to guide the establishment and operations of the committees in all communities.
