How Osun Curtailed Farmers/Herders Clash

By Solomon Odeniyi

The magic wand responsible for curtailing the menace of marauding Fulani herdsmen from degenerating into the farmer/herdsmen crisis witnessed in other state of the federation has been revealed over the weekend during the forum between the governor and the stakeholders in Osogbo.

The commissioner for Special Duties, Mr Mudashiru Togun attributed the peace witnessed so far to the committee set up by the government in 2014.

Togun who doubles as the chairman of the committee described the institution of the committee as apt and timely, noting that it remains the reasons Osun is yet to witness farmer/herders attack.

He added that: “We remain the only state not to have witnessed farmers and herders clash like it had been witnessed in some states of the country.   Though the crisis has not been as pronounced as we have now, in 2014 the governor instituted our committee with a mandate to look into how to prevent such from happening in the state. Since 2014 the committee has settled amicably over 6,000 cases between farmers and herders.

“The prompt response to reported cases and the uprightness of members of the committee have helped in averting clashes in a great deal.”

Togun said over 10,000 herders have been registered and each cow has been assigned numbers which has allowed for easy identification of cows and herders.

He added that the data capturing has also made it difficult for cow rustling and assisting the government on easy and early identification of herders with harmful intentions.

He noted that a couple of herders who the committee was not satisfied with their practice have been sent packing.

He stated that sometimes, some courts hearing farmers/herders cases, refer to the committee to resolve issues anytime they are saddled with the responsibility.

Aside the committee set up, the commissioner also highlighted the other things put in place to ensure peace among farmers/herders which include; the establishment of nomadic schools for the Fulanis, the appointment of the chairman of the Fulani herders as the personal assistant to the governor on peaceful coexistence and the construction of no fewer than 13 boreholes in their domiciles among others.