By Busola Kareem

Sensitization of the Fulani herdsmen and farmers in Edo state has begun. This was announced by the state Commandant of the corps, Dr. Benito Eze. This was done as to curb violence and encourage dialogue in order to settle any dispute.

He encouraged the herdsmen to report to any authority any violence or offence done to them in the course of them going about their legitimate business rather than to take the law into their hands. He further stated that a specialized unit has been organized by the corps to settle any dispute between herdsmen and farmers and happily, no clash has been registered as of recent. He also made certain that the corps engage farmers to foster peaceful co-existence  between them and the herdsmen. He blamed past clashes on communication barrier and urged all to promote harmony and mutual understanding.

According to Vanguard news, a statement made by Dr. Eze is as follows, “To prevent this, we have established the Agro-Allied unit in the 18 Local Government Areas of the state, just like we have same unit in the state command. “The reason for this, is to provide a platform for anyone who has any reason to be aggrieved to complain, and this complaint will be attended to with dispatch. “Like the farmers, the herdsmen are hard working and law abiding citizens, which account for the reason why they spend so much time raising their cattle to maturity. “We are all one, we have lived together and can still live together. “Before the discovery of oil, we had always lived together. Our problem is that of communication barriers, and we will smoothen that out,” he stated.  The Sarkin Fulani, Alhaji Muhammed Susam at the occasion commended the NSCDC for such an action, speaking out that no problem was unconquerable if people work hand in hand to overcome it. Comparably, the state Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, Alhaji Sa’adu Abubakar, said they were ready to foster peace with farmers in Edo.  Stressing out also that the Fulanis would continue to strive harder for the tranquillity, progress and development of the state.