How Gombe Government Settled Herders, Farmers Clash

Following the recent clash between Herders and Farmers in Lapan, Shongom Local Government Area of the Gombe State, the state government has taken an approach, settling both parties.

The incident emanated when a fight broke out between two persons over farmland in the area, generating tension which later resulted in a clash between the Farmers and the herders.

However, to stem the clash, the state government formed a high-powered delegation to broker peace between the two parties.

The delegation was led by the State's Deputy Governor, Manassah Daniel Jatau.

The delegation visited Kaltungo Chiefdom where a meeting was held at the Palace of the Mai Kaltungo, Engineer Saleh Mohammed and Lapan in Shongom LGA. 

Speaking during the visit, the Deputy Governor, said the visit was aimed at drawing the attention of the communities to the need for peaceful coexistence among themselves.

He also decried the clash between the herders and farmers, describing it as barbaric and heartless. 

“From the pictures I have seen about the barbaric acts committed in the affected places in Lapan, it is quite unbelievable that those who committed these claims to know God.

"Religion teaches us about God and humanity, but where there is no such recognition in our behaviours we become worst than those who didn’t believe in living in the hereafter," Jatau said.

He further appreciated the Mai Kaltungo for always maintaining peace and unity in the Chiefdom.

He added that the state government would ensure perpetrators of the incident were brought to face the law.

“We will ensure bringing to book everyone found directly or indirectly culpable and ensure they are made to face the wrath of the law to serve as a deterrent to others.

“As the Chairman, Appointment, Discipline and Promotion of Traditional Rulers in the state, I vow to remove any traditional ruler(s) found to be involved in instigating, aiding or abating the crises”, he stated.

The Mai Kaltungo who spoke at his palace in Kaltungo LGA and Lapan in Shongom LGA respectively, said the Tangale farmers and Fulani herders have coexisted for many years in the areas. 

He further stated that he was surprised to witness a clash between them. 

He added the two people that were alleged to have started the fight have been arrested by security agents and wondered why some people took advantage to escalate the situation. 

In his remark, the leader of the herders in Shongom LGA, Alhaji Badikko Daudu, said they were devasted by the incident, assuring that they would obey whatever the Mai Kaltungo said as a father figure.

“We have lived in the Chiefdom for so long. 

"Most of us, our parents were born in this place. 

"If we leave this place where do we go to? 

"We have no intention of relocating from here, especially since we have a father like the Mai Kaltungo who has shown us fatherly love," he said.

Meanwhile, one of the community leaders at Lapan, Landa Kalawa, appreciated the state government and the Mai Kaltungo for their efforts in fostering peace in the Chiefdom.

He described the incident as one fueled by those controlled by the devil in the community, praying to God that such incident never happens in the future.