In a bit to end the lingering crisis between farmers and herders which has claimed many lives with property worth millions of naira destroyed in various communities, the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) and the Tabbital Pulaaku Pan-Fulani Cutural Association have signed a peace agreement on Thursday in Guyuk local government area of Adamawa state. This is at the instance of Ajiya Unity Foundation and implemented by the British Council.

The British council have been working with community leaders and relevant stakeholders to find a lasting solution to the crisis that has lasted for decades.

Leaders of the both farming and herders communities were brought together for the signing of the peace agreement supervised by the team lead of the British council. While Ayuba Bangwale signed for the farmers association, Ardo Usman Buba signed for the herders. They both agreed on behalf of their separate associations to henceforth abide by the rules contained in the peace document which includes re-establishment of cattle routes encroached by farmers and a scheduled timeline for herders to allow their cows for grazing which is stipulated to be after harvest.

They also agreed to use dialogue as a means of settling disputes in a bit to maintain peaceful coexistence.

In the agreement, both parties unanimously agreed a ban on night grazing by herders and to synergies with youths groups in collaboration with security agencies to help curb attacks and reprisals.

Violators of the agreement are liable to penalty commiserate with losses and inline with equity and justice to be determined by the mediation committee.

The Team lead British Council/European Union (MCN), Abdulkadir Bello, while addressing both communities said the effort is aimed at facilitating and promoting reconciliation and stability in polarized conflict affected communities in the northeast region.

Abubakar further assured that the agreement is targeted at fostering unity and enhancing state and community level conflict Management capacity to prevent the escalation of conflict into violence in Adamawa , Yobe and Borno states.

Ardo Usman Buba, chairman Tabbital Pulaaku Guyuk branch in his submission lauded the efforts of the EU/British Council and the organizers of the event to end the incessant herder/farmers unrest.

Buba urged for the implementation of the National Livestock Transformation Programme, NLTP to permanently contain the crisis and boost diary products for commercial purposes.

Ayuba Bangwale chairman AFAN also advocated governments at all level to make fertilizer available to peasants farmers to boost crop production.

Bangwale noted that, reconciliation is imperative to peace and stability in polarized conflict affected communities and resolved to adopt and community resilience through dialogue .

The accord was endorsed by Kwandi Nunguraya chairman Lunguda traditional Council Dishan Dansanda ||, and witnessed by farmers representatives from Savannah Sugar Company, Muslim Association of Nigeria (MAN), Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Youths and Women groups and all the security agencies.