Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, has mediated in the growing tension between farmers and herders in Darazo Local Government Area of the state, following recent clashes that resulted in injuries. The governor’s high-level peace meeting with stakeholders and residents of the affected areas, accompanied by senior security officials, including the Bauchi State Commissioner of Police and the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS).
The meeting provided a platform for open dialogue and conflict resolution. Mohammed convened a peace meeting with stakeholders and residents of the affected areas, accompanied by senior security officials, including the Bauchi State Commissioner of Police and the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS). The meeting provided a platform for open dialogue and conflict resolution.Speaking at the peace dialogue held in Nahutan Darazo village, Mohammed expressed deep concern over the escalation of hostilities stemming from disputes over land use.
He acknowledged the complex history of forest allocations in the region, particularly the state’s decision to allocate 2,500 hectares of forest land for farming activities across the state in which some parts are allocated in Alia, Sade, and Yautari in Darazo local government area to meet the growing demand from farmers which Fulani herders believed to have compromised their traditional grazing routes and forest settlements.The governor noted that, “The forests have over the years served the herders peacefully, providing grazing, and livelihood. However due to demographic pressure and administrative lapses, the allocations have stirred mistrust.”He further lamented that some of the allocated lands have not been used for farming by the original allottees but rather sublet for profit.