Akure – Mrs Hilda Ibifuro-Harison, Ondo state Police Commissioner, has called on farmers and herdsmen in the state to live in peace and harmony.
She made the call on Wednesday in Akure during a stakeholders meeting with farmers and representatives of cattle rearers.
She stressed the need for both parties to live responsibly and be role models to others.
“Two wrongs cannot make a right; so do to others what you want others to do for you,’’ she said.
The commissioner stated that prevailing peace being experienced in the state was as a result of cordial relationship between herdsmen and farmers.
She warned that the police would not fold their arms and allow any individual or group of people to disrupt the peace being enjoyed in the state.
Ibifuro-Harison urged farmers and herdsmen to learn how to live in peace and manage crisis, stressing that would be no development and transformation in agriculture if there is constant rift between them.
The police boss also warned the two groups not to take laws into their hands but forward their grievances to the police for settlement.
In his remark, Mr Akin Olotu, the chairman, All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) Ondo State chapter, said that herdsmen should not be allowed to engage underage youths to rear cattle.
He said that gracing at night should not be allowed.
“If we don’t want crisis between farmers and Fulani herdsmen, they need to use experienced hands instead of children for gracing and avoid night gracing,” Olotu said.
Responding, Alhaji Mahammed Sheu-Sanni, Special Assistant to Gov. Olusegun Mimiko on Hausa and Arewa matters, promised to sensitise other herdsmen in the state on the need to be peaceful.
“We will go from one local government to another to talk to our people to ensure that matured men are used for gracing,” he promised. (NAN)