Farmers/herders Clash: Osun NSCDC Commandant Calls For Peaceful Coexistence

The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Osun Command has warned herders to keep off farms to avoid the destruction of farm produce which is the cause of the farmer/herder crisis.

This warning was given by the Osun NSCDC Commandant, Emmanuel Ocheja in Osogbo during a one day workshop in preparation for the 2022 International Civil Defence Day.

Represented by the Head of Agro Rangers Unit of the Command, Deputy Commandant of Corps, Yaqeen Yekini, advised that all stakeholders in the agro-allied sector should embrace the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms to resolve issues rather than resort to confrontations and aggressive combat.

Delivering a lecture on the theme, "Civil Defence and Management of Displaced in the Face of Disaster and Crisis; Role of Volunteers and the Fight Against Pandemics," Ocheja assured that the Corps was committed to the protection of the agro-allied industry and was ready to confront other security challenges that may negatively impinge food production and security in the state.

The Osun NSCDC boss noted that the Federal Government is poised to ensure that everybody who is engaging in agriculture has a peaceful atmosphere to go about their occupation without any fear of intimidation or harassment. 

"We are ready to cooperate with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to achieve a peaceful co-existence between farmers and herders in Osun state.

"Embrace the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms to resolve issues when such arisen rather than resort to confrontations and aggressive combat.

"As such, we are warning herders to keep off from farm as the destruction of farm produce is the major issue between farmers and herders.

He also reiterated the readiness of the NSCDC to cooperate with the Fulani-Bororo community in the state to achieve a peaceful coexistence between farmers and herders in Osun State.

In his remark, the Chairman of Ayedire local government, Adigun Adejare while pledging his unalloyed support to the Corps and all other security agencies, urged both farmers and herders to continue to live in peace so that an end can be sought to the incessant farmers and herdsmen clashes in the state.