Ogun State Commissioner of Police, CP Abiodun Alamutu, has mediated over crisis between farmers and herders in Yewa North and Imeko-Afon Local Government Areas of the state, towards finding a lasting resolution, as well as promote peaceful coexistence among concerned parties.
CP Alamutu, who led the peace meeting between the two parties, at Fajuyi Hall, Comprehensive High School, Ayetoro, noted that no nation could thrive in an atmosphere bedevilled with rancour, adding that the conflict must be amicably resolved to engender productive farming season, saying a resolution committee comprising all stakeholders in the area would soon be put in place by traditional rulers in the areas to give room for mediation.
He appreciated the huge security measures of the present administration led by Governor Dapo Abiodun through donation of 25 Hilux Patrol Vehicles and Surveillance Drones, among other security gadgets, to ensure adequate security across the state, calling on government at all levels to further create an enabling farming environment for all stakeholders in the agriculture sector to achieve the set goal of making Yewa/Ogun an industrialised zone, as well as one of the food baskets of the nation.
In his remarks, the Chairman, Ayetoro North Local Government, Hon. Gabriel Ogunyomi, appreciated the CP for the peace initiative, informing that crop farmers and herders had taken some measures towards finding a lasting solution to the lingering crisis, while government would continue to serve as perfect template to resolve farmers/herders clashes in the areas.
In their separate remarks, representatives of stakeholders who spoke at the peace meeting included, a member, representing Imeko-Afon Local Government in the state House of Assembly, Hon. Jemili Akingbade; Onimeko of Imeko, Oba Benjamin Ebenezer; Obaladi of Afon, Oba Rasheed Babade, as well as representative of Seriki Fulani, Ayetoro, Mallam Kabiru, said the meeting became imperative to enable a conflict resolution mechanism to resolve the perennial farmers-herders conflicts in the areas, that had led to loss of lives and property, saying it would ensure mutual respect among key players in the agriculture sector.
Earlier, the Area Commander in Ayetoro, ACP Lawrence Iwodi, thanked the CP and stakeholders for their proactive measures in resolving conflicts among the farmers and herders, expressing hope that the effort would yield positive result.
Lateef Akintunde,
ZIO, YNLG
