By Our Correspondent
National News – Farmers and herders in Plateau State have signed a peace pact aimed at ending decades of violent clashes over land, grazing rights, and community tensions.
The agreement was facilitated by the Youth Initiative Against Violence and Rights Abuse during a community engagement held on Tuesday in Bachi community in Riyom Local Government Area.
The peace accord follows years of recurring violence between the predominantly Christian Berom farming communities and Muslim Fulani herders in Plateau State.
The crisis, driven by disputes over land access, historical grievances, and ethnic mistrust, has claimed thousands of lives and displaced many residents across affected communities.
The latest incident occurred last Tuesday in Rim Village, Riyom Local Government Area, where gunmen reportedly killed two people and injured two others.
Community leaders and peace advocates say the renewed dialogue and agreement are part of efforts to prevent further attacks and foster coexistence.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Judith Remson, Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning Manager at the Youth Initiative Against Violence and Rights Abuse, said the pact emerged after months of consultations and dialogue with stakeholders from eight communities in Riyom LGA, including Bangai Berom, Bangai Fulani, and Bachi.
According to her, the communique outlines commitments to resolve disputes over farm destruction and grazing access while promoting responsible environmental practices and peaceful coexistence.
The agreement also calls for the establishment of a land access committee to handle land disputes and the formation of joint patrol teams to monitor incidents involving farmland damage or harm to livestock.
Other provisions include awareness campaigns against substance abuse, advocacy for nomadic education among herding communities, and regular joint meetings among farmers, herders, youth leaders, and traditional rulers.
The document was signed by representatives of the Bangai Traditional Council, women’s groups from both Berom and Fulani communities, youth leaders, and observers from the Plateau State Peace Building Agency.
Mohammed Shaibu, Team Lead of the Dialogue and Mediation Unit at the agency, representing Director-General Dr. Julie Sanda, described the initiative as a crucial step toward sustaining dialogue and preventing recurring farmer-herder conflicts.
Community representatives Thomas Bade and Musa Galadima also pledged their commitment to the peace process, expressing confidence that the agreements would strengthen trust and promote lasting harmony in their communities.
