Herdsmen, farmers sign peace treaty in Niger

By Boluwatife Ezekiel Olaleye

Herdsmen and farmers in Mashegu Local government Area of Niger have signed a peace agreement to stop violence among themselves.

Alhaji Abdullahi Babayo, Director-General of Nomadic Affairs Agency in the state, disclosed this in a statement issued to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna on Wednesday.

Babayo said the aim of the meeting was to reconcile communities that were affected by farmers/herdsmen crisis in the area.

He said that the meeting was attended by Alhaji Bala Sai’du, Chairman, Mashegu Local Government, Alhaji Ardo Adamu, Chairman, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association in Niger, Fulani Herdsmen, Farmers, District Heads and community leaders from the area.

According to him, the meeting was to promote peace among farmers and herdsmen and to appeal to herdsmen to desist from grazing on farmlands to avoid clashes with farmers.

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The director-general advised both parties to abide by the agreement and continue to respect the cultures of one another, tradition and means of livelihood.

He urged them to be law abiding and live in peace irrespective of ethnic, religious and political affiliations.

“Farmers and herdsmen should adopt alternative dispute resolution mechanism whenever there is a disagreement in order to avert the negative effects of crisis,’’ he said.