Kano: Security Agencies, Stakeholders Move To End 40-year old Farmers/ Herdsmen Conflict

By Daniel Maduka

Major actors and stakeholders in the over 40-year old Farmers/Herders fratricidal clashes in the Makoda area of Kano State, have agreed to cooperate  with Security Agencies, particularly, the Police to find a lasting solution.

They have also resolved to set up a joint committee to drive ongoing dialogue, and implementation of conflicts mitigation strategies and continuous engagement with relevant stakeholders.

The Source reports that for many years now Makoda, one of the 44 Local Councils of Kano State, has been an epicenter of sporadic violent clashes between the farming population  and their herders kit and kin, a development which has led to monumental losses on both sides .

The warring groups expressed their  readiness to embrace peace, during a round table parley brokered by the Kano State Police authorities on Wednesday February 21 2024  at  the Makoda Local Council Secretariat.

A release issued by the Kano State Police Command Spokesperson, Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa (SP), said the meeting was convened to discuss and strategize on how  best to douse the recent escalation of the festering conflicts between farmers and herders in the Makoda council of the state.

The meeting which had in attendance, the Emir of Bichi, other Traditional Rulers, Religious and opinion leaders, Chairman and top officials of the Makoda Local Council, District Heads of Makoda and  Kunchi was aimed at fostering understanding ,dialogue and cooperation  towards finding a sustainable solution to the challenges facing the area for over 40 years.

” During the meeting ,all parties identified the root causes of the conflicts ,highlighted the underlying tensions and explored possible avenues for peaceful co- existence and conflicts resolution .

Emphasis was also placed on mutual respect ,tolerance and adherence to provincial laws and regulations with a view to preventing further escalation of violence ” the police statement noted.

The Kano State Commissioner of  Police ,who was represented by his deputy, Umar Ahmed Chuso ( DCP) while assuring all stakeholders of the readiness of the police in maintaining law and order ,protection of lives and property and fostering of harmony within the communities concerned , however called for information sharing ,collaborations and adoption of  proactive Measures in handling the complex farmer/ herder conflict.

This is even as the Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf who was represented at the peace meeting by his Special Assistant SA Malama Maimuna Umar Sherrif  ,has promised to explore all necessary and lawful means to end any  cases of farmers/ herders disagreements in any parts of the State.