Stakeholders Called On Nasarawa Government To Declare Amnesty For The Surrender Of Firearms

Rabiu Omaku

Participants at a stakeholders meeting comprises of traditional rulers, security agents, farmers and Fulani’s in Nasarawa state has resolved and arrived at a decision that the Nasarawa state Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura should declare amnesty for the surrender of firearms.

They recommended that mopping up of illegal arms and ammunition as well as illicit drugs sales and consumption points,profiling of migrants into communities by undertaking an advocacy while community leaders and security agents should give premise to security issues through the establishment of security committees comprises of community leaders, security personnel, Youths and vigilante groups, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria.

The participants said the stakeholders meeting should be sustained on a regular basis for peace to thrive, the communiqué issued at the end of a town hall meeting on “Security Challenges Associated with Local farmers and herdsmen held at police officers’ Mess also recommended that farmers and herdsmen should seek for avenue to resolved issues instead of taking the law into their hands at the slightest provocation ,they should endeavor to report any trespass or breach of their rights to the constituted authority nearest to them.

It was recommended that security agencies must ensure that sponsors/perpetrators of criminality are identified and made to face the full wrath of the law and all displaced persons be allowed to return to their abode.

Local farmers should be magnanimous enough to allow Fulani herdsmen access to non-farmland areas for grazing as well refrain from trespassing and occupying farmland of their host communities.

The participants also resolved that prompt stakeholders meeting be convened to deliberate on the appropriate and lasting solutions on the issues of grazing reserve, ranch and routes, while looking at the advantages and disadvantages of the system and take decision that will be at the best interest of the nation.

The creme de la’ creme cut across the length and breadth of the state tasked security agencies in ensuring prompt responses to farmers/herdsmen clash to avoid escalation of conflict.

It was also resolved that all cows should be marked according to identity of pastoralist as ban cattle rearing by minor, other resolutions are that misinformation, rumor and anxiety must be properly managed by the Government, community and ethnic group leaders to avoid spread of crisis which could equally lead to attacks and reprisal attacks.

The stakeholders posited that agent of Government like National Orientation Agency should intensify sensitization campaign on the need for peaceful co-existence between Local farmers and pastoral nomadic and respect for each other in times of economic space, occupation and means of livelihood.

Other affirmed that using community policing in addressing security challenges is the only solution.