The Plateau State Police Command has met with religious and community leaders to proffer solutions to the lingering crisis between farmers and pastoralists.
The latest meeting is one of many organized by stakeholders to restore peace between the warring parties following the killings of hundreds of people.
Okoro Julius, the state Commissioner of Police, while addressing the gathering on Saturday at the Police Officers’ Mess, explained that the essence of the meeting was to strengthen the relationship between farmers and herders who had been at loggerheads for years in the state to bring an end to the destruction of lives and properties.
He called on all parties to sheathe their swords and embrace each other for peace, unity and progress to take its place in the state.
The Chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Nura Abdullahi, while speaking, commended the Nigeria Police Force for organizing the stakeholders meeting, assuring that such a gesture would go a long way in ensuring peace between the farmers and pastoralists.
“We still have confidence that whenever there is security of purpose, there will be peace. What I am seeing today is different, I can see how all the people that are inside the hall are suggesting solutions on how to foster unity between the farmers and herders,” he said.
The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Polycarp Lubo, said the exercise was apt and timely considering the level of insecurity bedevilling the state.
He hailed the governor’s efforts within the shortest time for restoring peace in the state following attacks and killings in some villages.
He said there was a need for more meetings on how people would learn to forgive each other with genuine reconciliation and relate peacefully.
Insecurity: Police meet farming communities, pastoralists in Plateau