By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
The Executive Chairman of Zango-Kataf Local Government Area in Kaduna State, Engr. Bege Joseph Gaiya, has lauded the proactive measures taken by security agencies, particularly the military, in maintaining peace and preventing renewed hostilities in the area.
Gaiya, in a statement issued on Wednesday and made available Online, said the round-the-clock presence and swift response of military personnel had been instrumental in averting fresh clashes between herders and farmers in the council area.
Elanza News reports that Zango-Kataf, has long been a flashpoint for recurring clashes between crop farmers, predominantly from indigenous ethnic groups, and nomadic cattle herders, often triggered by farmland encroachment, destruction of crops, and grazing route disagreements.
However, Gaiya maintained that the military interventions and other security operatives have drastically reduced tensions that have threatened the peaceful coexistence of communities in Local Government Area.
“Over the years, herders-farmers clashes have posed a serious threat to our unity, but the military’s timely intervention has significantly reduced such incidents,” the chairman said.
He warned against encroachment on farmlands and urged farmers to avoid taking the law into their own hands in resolving disputes.
Gaiya noted that many farmers in the area had collected agricultural loans and were beneficiaries of the state government’s ongoing fertiliser distribution flagged off by Governor Uba Sani, stressing that unhindered access to farmlands was critical for achieving bumper harvests in the coming farming season.
“The people of Zango-Kataf cannot afford to return to the dark days when peace was almost completely eroded. We must consolidate on the gains made under Governor Uba Sani’s peacebuilding efforts,” he stated.
The council boss further warned that anyone found attempting to instigate violence or disrupt harmony in the area would face the full weight of the law.
He called on residents to cooperate with security agencies, particularly during the rainy season when farming activities are at their peak, to ensure sustained peace and economic stability in the local government.
