Farmers/herders conflict: We must reject revenge, NSA urges leaders

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Major-General Babagana Mongunu (rtd) has urged leaders to eschew the attitude of revenge as part of efforts to restore peace in the country.

He made this appeal when he received the leaders of Miyeti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN) and Association of Christian Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (AOCTRON) paid him a courtesy call at his office on Tuesday.

He said that the farmers/herders conflict in the country was being manipulated by mischief makers, adding that the conflict had nothing to do with religion and ethnicity as being claimed.

While expressing delights with the move by the two groups to maintain peace in the country, he said the federal government is happy with the peace initiative.

He assured that President Muhammadu Buhari is determined to ensure lasting peace in the country.

Speaking earlier, the founder of Association of Christian Traditional Rulers of Nigeria, Rev Gbenga Ademuyiwa said the two groups have been working hard for months to ensure peace amongst farmers and herders in the country.

While appealing to the federal government to give them the opportunity to solve the security problem in the country, he disclosed that strategies have been mapped out to sustain peace between the two groups.

On his part, the Zonal Chairman of MACBAN in the South East zone of the country, Gidado Siddiki peace initiatives in the Southern part of the country by the two parties have been fruitful so far.

He said the two groups will soon “visit all the major flashpoints of security in the North, particularly where herdsmen and farmers seem to be at war.”