By POLYCARP AUTA

Residents of Bangai Community in Riyom Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau, have agreed to work together to end all forms of conflicts in the community.

The residents, consisting of the Berom natives and Fulanis, made their positions known in a communique issued on Thursday in Riyom.

The communique was signed by leaders of the groups during a dialogue organised by an NGO, Youth Initiative Against Violence and Human Rights Abuse (YIAVHA).

Mr Godwin Musa, Chairman, Bangai Development Association and Ardo Ahmad Adamu-Galadima, signed the communique.

The residents, who agreed to bridge all existing gaps towards ensuring lasting peace in the community, promised to also unite against any external forces that would bring disharmony among them.

They further agreed to adopt proactive and collective steps that would stimulate mutual trust, tolerance and respect for one another.

“Herders are committed to preventing aggressive grazing practices, by being responsible and avoiding the protection or shielding of offenders involved in farm destruction or related violations.

“We agree to strengthen actions against substance abuse; the herders are committed to reporting substance abuse cases for corrective action, while the farmers are committed to deepening efforts to address drug circulation.

“We have also agreed on the need to develop inclusive community by-laws to address drug circulation and substance abuse.

“Elders and traditional leaders will jointly engage the Education Secretary at the Riyom Area Office to advocate for improved staffing at the primary and nomadic schools,” the communique stated.

The residents also agreed to promote responsible environmental practices, including discontinuing the burning of farm residues after harvest.

Women in the community also agreed to hold joint monthly meetings to promote togetherness, while the youths have promised to conduct joint patrols against external insurrection.

Speaking on the development, Miss Judith Ramson, the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accessibility and Learning Officer of YIAVHA, said that the dialogue was organised under the “Building Bridges for Peace Phase II: From Insight to Action” project.

She explained that the project is supported by Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria (SPRiNG) and funded by the UK Government.

“Bangai community reflects many of the broader challenges shaping farmer–herder relations across the Plateau.

“Over the years, tensions between the Berom farming community and the Fulani herding community have been influenced by disputes over farmland access, grazing routes to neighbouring communities and safe farming practices.

“Other triggers were access to basic amenities, incidents of crop destruction and livestock losses, politics of exclusion, and broader concerns about safety and livelihoods.

According to her, this move is to support collaborative action towards improved safety, strengthened relationships and enhanced social cohesion between the Fulani and Berom communities. (NAN)

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