By Akin Richy, Osogbo.
The Fulani-Bororo community in Ayedire Local Government area of Osun State, and its environs, has reiterated its readiness to cooperate with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to achieve a peaceful co-existence between farmers and herders in the state.
This was disclosed during a one-day workshop to herald the activities for the Year 2022 International Civil Defence Day.
The theme for the annual event according to the State Command PRO, ASCII Atanda Olabisi in a press statement she made available to journalists in Osogbo the state capital on Saturday is “Civil Defence and Management of Displaced in the Face of Disaster and Crisis; Role of Volunteers and the Fight Against Pandemics”.
The State Commandant, Commandant Emmanuel Ocheja, ably represented by the Head of Agro Rangers Unit of the Command, Deputy Commandant of Corps (DCC) Yaqueen warned herders to keep off from farm as destruction of farm produce is the major issue between farmers and herders.
The Agro Rangers expert advised that all the stakeholder in the Agrol-allied sector should embrace the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms to resolve issues, rather than resort to confrontations and aggressive combat.
DCC Yaqueen also assured commitment of the Corps to protect the agro allied industry and other security related challenges that may negatively impinge food production and food security in the country. He said the Federal government is poised to ensure that everybody who is engaging agriculture has a peaceful atmosphere to go about their occupation without any fear of intimidation or harassment.
The Chairman of Ayedire Local Government, Hon. Adigun Adejare while speaking commended the effort of the Command for their efforts to maintaining peaceful coexistence between farmers and herders, he pledges his unalloyed support to the Corps and all other security agencies.
He urged both farmers and herders to continue to live in peace and put an end to incessant farmers and herdsmen clashes in the state.
In his contribution, one of the participants, Alhaji Seidu Adamu, appreciated the Osun State Command for oranising part of the activities marking the Civil Defence Day in Aiyedire Local Government area. He promised that all inhabitants of the community will continue to explore every avenue to engender peace and harmony.
Present at the programme were Police, DSS, Immigration, FRSC, Amotekun Corps and representative of farmers and herdsmen in the state.
