The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Osun Command has advocated Alternative Dispute Resolution ADR to settle disputes amongst Farmers and other major Stakeholders with a viewing to ensuring peace.
Mr Yaqeen Rafiu Olarenwaju, the Head of Agro Rangers Unit of the NSCDC, Osun State Command, Deputy Commandant of Corps (DCC) represented by the Commandant revealed this while featuring on a program ‘The Defender’ On Osun Broadcasting Cooperation OSBC.
Olarenwaju with whom were the Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Corps II (ASC II) Atanda Olabisi attended the program
DCC Yaqeen who enumerated some of the benefits that of mediating between farmers and herders in state and Nigeria at large hinted that peace is necessary for development of any nation or institution.
The Deputy Commandant stressed that the establishment of Agro Rangers Unit in NSCDC some couple of years ago has indeed aided the Corps in maintaining peaceful between aggrieved farmers and Fulani/Bororo herdsmen in the State .
He condemned the use of coercive effort in settling herders/farmers conflicts as it attracts no consequential positive effect.
The Senior officer highlighted some of the benefits among were eradication of bloody clashes between the farmers and the herdsmen, the financial compensation to the affected party through Alternative Dispute Resolution, (ADR) which has help to bring about peaceful coexistence between the two parties and restoration of unity between the farmers and the herdsmen.
He stated that inter-tribal clashes are threats to national unity, hence, the need for Alternative Dispute Resolution.
The NSCDC officer Equally dwelled on the sawmillers who deal in felling of trees in the bush.
He said the activities of sawmillers and loggers also affect the crops in the farmers, adding that disputes do not only happen between the farmers and the herdsmen alone with counting on destruction done to the farms in cause of crisis.
He said sawmillers are also exempted in the area of damaging farmers’ farmlands, and crops in the course of their felling of woods which sometime destroy farm produce.
DCC also stressed that every effort of the Unit is being geared towards curbing the menace of herders/farmers clashes through peaceful Alternative Dispute Resolution, the mechanism of which has greatly helped in restoring seemingly endless peace in our various communities within the state.
He hinted that the newly established Agro Rangers Base Stations (ARBS) across the senatorial districts would bring the Agro Rangers personnel closer to Agro Allied stakeholders in the grassroots.
He commended good people Osun state and the Commandant Ocheja Emmanuel for his commitment and solidarity with the Unit in accomplishing its aims and objectives inspite of several challenges