Etsu Nupe Initiates Peace Committees for Farmers and Herders

Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, the Etsu Nupe and chairman of the Niger Council of Traditional Rulers, has mandated the establishment of five to seven-member peace committees in all communities under the Bida Emirate. This directive aims to address and prevent ongoing conflicts between farmers and nomads.

The announcement was made during a forum in Bida, Niger State, attended by local government chairmen, district heads, and village heads. Yahaya highlighted that the persistent clashes threaten peaceful coexistence, agricultural productivity, and community livelihoods.

He called for immediate collective action to avert escalation and urged strict enforcement of the state grazing law, particularly the requirement for a four-foot corridor for herders. Additionally, he advocated for enhanced collaboration between village heads and nomadic leaders and the deployment of the Forest Guard Service to oversee grazing routes, prevent encroachment, and protect farmland.

Sustainable peace, he stated, can only be achieved through legal respect, ongoing dialogue, and effective community-based structures.