The Edo State Government in collaboration with the local government councils has set aside one per cent of the Federal Allocation to support vigilante and other security outfits in a quest to resolve the prevailing crisis between farmers and herders in the state.
The state government also set up a technical committee to proffer lasting solution to the clashes between farmers and herders in the state, and given 14-day ultimatum to look into the issue and identify possible ways to tackle it.
Governor Godwin Obaseki disclosed this at the weekend in Benin at a stakeholders’ meeting attended by farmers, herders, traditional rulers and security agencies.
Also Read: Edo to inaugrate Automotive Training Centre in Benin
He said the one per cent allocation from FAAC would be used to support payment of stipends to vigilante among others.
He stressed the need for better information-gathering for the vigilante, noting that a team from the Inspector General of Police had visited Edo State in line with plans to commence community policing in the state.
The Sarkin Fulani, Alhaji Saleh Badamosi, alleged that some traditional rulers usually collect money from herders to graze in their communities which results to problems whenever the herders are asked to vacate the land. “The governor should work closer with the traditional rulers. The cattle breeders pay the traditional rulers to graze in some communities; so when the farmers drive them away, they will not go,” he said.
