The quest for peace and unity was the central agenda at the Oyo State Police Headquarters, Eleyele, Ibadan as the state Commissioner of Police, CP Shina T. Olukolu on Saturday rallied for cooperation, mutual understanding and peace among the state’s farmers and herders.

According to the CP, the essence of the meeting was to exchange ideas, critically look at the cause of the conflict and engage each other to proffer solution to the problem before it escalates.

He states: “This gathering is called to deal with a matter that is of great interest to all of us in Oyo state. I captioned the issue as ‘Farmers, Herders conflict in Oyo, the way forward”.

“The essence is for us to exchange ideas, look critically at the issues that are fanning the emblem of thefarmers and herders conflict with reference to the areas around Shaki, IseyinEgwuora and others, where there are farmers and herders conflict”.

“In the recent past, there have been very serious and fierce competitions between the farmers and the herders in trying to source for daily nutritious grass and feeds for the animals and this has raised conflict between the farmers and the herders especially during dry seasons”.

While pointing out the possible cause of the conflict, the CP listed the following;

Impatience gears a problem as both parties sees:

Frustration; according to the CP, a frustrated farmer whose farm land was damaged would neither remember the law or community leader; hence, takes law into his hand by fighting back any herders that crosses his way at that time.

He also identified water as another cause, stating  that farmland which is sited close to a river, is liable to face destruction as either the animals eat the crops while sourcing for water or step on the crops while heading to the stream; hence, this may cause  havoc which might anger the farmer to retaliate.

The CP also stated that existence of lack of understanding can also be seen as an engine that gears the problem of both parties, hence,  he urged them to ensure that collectively they seek  solution to the problem they were able discover.

“Every conflict ends in round table discussion, why not start the round conference tables now,” he added.

He further stated that the use of minors has also poised a problem facing the farmers and the herders as minors lacks the ability to control the herds of animals in their care.

Some solution deliberated on  were, dialogue, abort the use of minors as lone herders, tolerance, report to the appropriate table or person, avoid night shielding of animals, always reach an agreement between both parties maybe as monetary compensation or agreement before encroaching in some ones farm land.

While pleading to the parties to be patience and tolerate each other, as that can be the lasting solutions they are pressing for.

“The herders and the farmers are a compliment to themselves. The herders need where to feed their animals and as the animals graze, they in turn provide manure for the farmers”.

The CP in his closing remark appealed to all parties to work together as a people of common interest. Assuring that the police would operate open door policy whereaggrieved person or group can always register their displeasure.

He further laid emphasis on community policing as a very sure way to deal with this ordeal and urge DPO’s and officers to be reachable.

In his own part M.A Oladepo, the special adviser to the state governor Abiola Ajimobi on Community Relations matters, said an avenue has been created to bring together the parties involved where the problems will be critically looked into.

He also said that the state government has sent a bill to the House of Assembly and “from the feedback we are getting from the house, before the end of the month, that bill would have been passed into law.” he added.

According to the S.A, the bill is termed ‘Raising Control Bill’ which is set to address herders and farmers needs.

He also said that major problem to the crisis are immigrants, who rear their animals at night, and most at times, the animals passes through the farmlands  causing damages to the crops and this poised a big problem as the local farmers sees the local herders as the cause of the damaged farmland.

However, he said the set-up bill once passed into law will address the issue and immigrants from neighboring country will be invited to a round table discussion, while he tasked the parties to employ understanding among them.