From Taiye Joseph, Ilorin.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kwara State Command, has intensified efforts to prevent farmer-herder clashe through sustained community engagement and early conflict resolution.
The Command, through its Agro-Rangers Unit, organised a one-day community sensitisation and dialogue programme at its headquarters in Ilorin, bringing together farmers, herders, community leaders, security personnel and other stakeholders to address security challenges in agricultural communities.
The programme, held under the theme, “Community Sensitisation on Agricultural Security and Conflict Prevention in Kwara State,” focused on practical measures to promote peaceful coexistence and prevent disagreements between farmers and herders from escalating into violence.
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Speaking at the event, the Kwara State Commandant, Commandant Abbas Mohammed, said lasting security in rural communities could only be achieved through cooperation and regular communication among stakeholders.
He urged farmers and herders to embrace dialogue in resolving disputes and called on residents to promptly report early warning signs of conflict and other security threats to relevant authorities.
According to him, “The protection of agricultural communities requires continuous engagement and cooperation among farmers, herders, community leaders and security agencies.”
The Commandant also stressed the importance of the Agro-Rangers Unit in protecting farmlands, agricultural investments and rural communities, while supporting efforts to prevent and manage farmer-herder conflicts.
Participants at the interactive session shared experiences and raised concerns over challenges affecting agricultural activities, particularly the need for improved communication, prompt intervention in disputes and stronger collaboration between communities and security agencies.
The stakeholders agreed that timely information sharing, community participation and peaceful settlement of disagreements were critical to preventing minor disputes from degenerating into violence.
Other speakers at the programme also encouraged farmers, herders and community leaders to strengthen existing channels of communication and work closely with security agencies to safeguard lives, property and agricultural investments across Kwara State.
The NSCDC Command said the engagement was part of its broader efforts to strengthen agricultural security and foster peaceful coexistence in farming communities across the state.
