Farmers, herders sign peace pact in Gwagwalada

Farmers and herdsmen in Paiko community in Gwagwalada Area Council have signed a peace agreement with a pledge to harmonious coexistence in the area. The District Head of Paiko, Alhaji Ibrahim Alitna, and Ardo of Fulani in the area, Abubakar Baidu, witnessed the signing of the peace agreement during a peace meeting summoned by the […]

Farmers and herdsmen in Paiko community in Gwagwalada Area Council have signed a peace agreement with a pledge to harmonious coexistence in the area.

The District Head of Paiko, Alhaji Ibrahim Alitna, and Ardo of Fulani in the area, Abubakar Baidu, witnessed the signing of the peace agreement during a peace meeting summoned by the council chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mustapha, which also had representatives of various security agencies as well as traditional rulers in attendance.

Adamu said it is imperative to curtail the incessant clashes between farmers and herdsmen in Paiko community.

He said the council was disturbed by reported cases of clashes that ensued between  the herders and farmers as a result of the destruction of farm crops, which he said always heightened tension in the community.

According to him, a memorandum of understanding was the best way to address the perennial clashes between the two groups.

“And by writing the peace agreement, it is now clear that the leadership of both sides will be held responsible in case of any security breach in the community, “ he said.

He therefore advised both parties to learn to tolerate one another, saying anyone found wanting would not be spared.

The Director of Chieftaincy Affairs of FCDA, Alhaji Shaba Ibrahim, who also witnessed the signing of the peace pact, noted that such meeting was one of the series convened by the council chairman.

He advised both farmers and herders to ensure they lived in peace and harmony with each other, saying no country can develop without people cohabiting together.

On his part, the Police Area commander in charge of Gwagwalada, ACP Sunday Okeobo, said farmers and herders were supposed to be complementing each other. He warned them not to take  the laws in their hands, adding “they should equally note that  nobody is above the law.”