Taraba state being one of the states with agricultural endowment and vast land available for growing crops and farm produce have created a lot of farmers and rearers (Those who are in rearing part of farming)
The farmers and herders have always have a good relationship between the two parties long time ago until the emergence of misunderstanding that crawled between the two parties
The clash between the two have left thousands homeless and exposed to lack of security and thus left a lot of people vulnerable to conflicts and problems
In conducting my research in Taraba state here in Ibi, I realised that Lau, Mambilla plateau are one of the most vulnerable society affected by this conflict because of the data and responds I got from people especially the crisis affected the Yandang people while Wukari can be tagged as a religious conflict/clashes. According to a research In January 2002, more than 20,000 herders fled the Mambilla plateau area into Cameroon following violence with farmers which MACBAN said at the time left 50 herders dead and many more homeless which triggered a lot of problem between the Christians who are farmers and herders who are mostly Fulani and are considered muslim. But United Nations Development Programme is geared towards promoting the coexistence of peace and development among people in the society
A call conversation with a teacher Obadiah Victor and also settler in Ibi when conducting my research has this to say
"The clash have affected both the young and the old in the society, it has left many people homeless especially pupils of my school. Many of the children left the school because their parents lost their farmlands and properties worth thousands, which forced many people to leave their various settlements to seek refuge in available places devoid from crisis"
The settler who happens to be a teacher with a primary school in sarkin kudu area in Ibi local government urged the state government to lend out a helping hand to end this issue that is disturbing peace and liveliness of people in the environment.
With large numbers of the farmers which are mostly Christians and Herder's Muslims have left the issues of the clash to be tagged a religious "conflict" and it is uncalled for because both the herder and farmer are important to everyone and each one's produce is important in the life of man.
And with the issues of insecurity and economic setbacks affecting an average Nigeria conducting a research that is aimed at solving a problem that have pulled down the progress of economic activities as well as put many lives in danger stand as a bridge between peace and nation building. And for teachers like Obadiah Victor it is a setback to his profession as a teacher who is trained to train pupils towards a positive future
Finally, the lingering issue between farmer and herders is a issue that ought to be looked into and solutions should be provided in order to stand against loss of lives and properties.
Jeremiah Genesis Ezra
Jeremyspell1@gmail.com
+2348104360361
#UNPeacebuildingNG
#ShiftingthenarrativeNG
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