Farmers and herders in six rural communities across Bokkos and Riyom Local Government Areas of Plateau State have signed 25 peace agreements aimed at ending years of deadly conflict.
The accords were reached by men and women from Sha, Bum, and Sopp communities, where repeated clashes have claimed lives and destroyed property.
The initiative was facilitated by the Institute for Integrated Transitions (IFIT), which has been working to strengthen social cohesion and promote reconciliation in fragile, conflict‑affected areas.
Senior district head Lazaros David from Bokkos described the process as timely.
“They followed the programme time after time to ensure its success. They identified our problems and discussed them together with us,” he said.
David expressed confidence that the agreements would hold, saying the community leaders would reinforce the peace through platforms such as churches and mosques.
“Where you often see your people, we’ll make sure this peace holds,” he added.
Building Trust
Another participant, Chiroma Haruna Idris, said the initiative would help restore stability between farming and herding groups.
“Our coming here has helped us understand the challenges, and we’re confident that what we’ve learned will assist us in addressing our common concerns peacefully without further disruption and confusion,” he explained.
Idris added that the signed agreements would help resolve lingering disputes and reduce tensions that have fueled violence in the past.
Plateau State has long been a flashpoint for farmer‑herder clashes, often driven by disputes over land, grazing rights, and ethnic divisions.
The peace accords represent a grassroots effort to rebuild trust and prevent further bloodshed.
The success of these agreements in the beautiful, lush, fertile lands of the Plateau may perhaps serve as a model for other conflict‑affected communities to end the needless bloodshed in Nigeria.
Rate, Like 👍, Comment 💬, Share this article, Follow us on our social media handles, and Submit your own story to get featured and earn rewards!
WhatsApp Channel
Telegram Channel
