Herders-farmers conflicts involve common dispute over land resources across Nigeria amongst farmers, sawmillers and herdsmen, hence the Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Osun State Command, Commandant Emmanuel Ocheja advocates for Alternative Dispute Resolution amongst Farmers.
According to a press release signed by the Relations Office, Nigeria Security and Civll Defence Corps, Osun State Command, ASCII Atanda Olabisi, she said that the Head of Agro Rangers Unit of the NSCDC, Osun State Command, Deputy Commandant of Corps (DCC) Yaqeen Rafiu Olarenwaju who represented the Commandant made this known while featuring on a program ‘The Defender’ with the Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Corps II (ASC II) Atanda Olabisi on 22nd March, 2022.
DCC Yaqeen uncovered some of the benefits that accrue in the course of mediating between farmers and herders in Osun state and by extention, Nigeria at large. The Deputy Commandant stressed that the establishment of Agro Rangers Unit in NSCDC some couple of years ago has indeed aided the Corps in maintaining peaceful coexistence between aggrieved farmers and Fulani/Bororo herdsmen in no small measure.
He condemned the use of coercive effort in settling herders/farmers conflicts as it attracts no consequential positive effect. The Deputy Commandant highlighted some of the benefits as outright eradication of bloody clashes between the farmers and the herdsmen, the accrual of financial compensation to the affected party through Alternative Dispute Resolution brings about peaceful coexistence between the two parties and restoration of unity between the farmers and the herdsmen.
He opined that inter-tribal clashes are threats to national unity, hence, the need for Alternative Dispute Resolution.
DCC Yaqeen equally dwelled on the sawmillers who deal in felling of trees in the bush. The activities of sawmillers and loggers also affect the crop farmers, adding that disputes do not only happen between the crop farmers and the herdsmen alone.
He, therefore, educated the general public that the sawmillers are also not exempted in the area of damaging farmers' farmlands and crops in the course of their daily search for means of livelihood.
DCC Yaqeen also stressed that every effort of the Unit is being geared towards curbing the menace of herders/farmers clashes through peaceful Alternative Dispute Resolution, the mechanism of which has greatly helped in restoring seemingly endless peace in our various communities within the state.
He hinted that the newly established Agro Rangers Base Stations (ARBS) across the senatorial districts would bring the Agro Rangers personnel closer to Agro Allied stakeholders in the grassroots.
He expressed his profound gratitude to the Osun state Command of NSCDC,Commandant Ocheja Emmanuel for his commitment and solidarity with the Unit in accomplishing its aims and objectives inspite of several challenges.
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