Gombe State Police Commissioner, Hayatu Usman, has stressed that community policing initiatives are the best option for effective herders/farmers conflict resolution.
The Commissioner made the assertion while briefing top management staff of the Command, considering the frequency of herders and farmers’ clashes during this period of the year.
He, therefore, directed all Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs) and Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in the Command to improve visibility patrols and engage with community stakeholders as proactive measures to avert farmers/herders clashes.
The development was necessitated by the harvest season when farmers were harvesting and bringing home their farm products, a time when herders grazed their herds on the remnants of the farms, thereby leading to clashes.
Hayatu Usman, who believes in community-based policing, issued these directives to all ACPs and DPOs as non-kinetic strategies for mitigating the conflict between farmers and herders.
However, at the State Command Headquarters level, the CP formed visibility patrols and surveillance teams, held briefings, stakeholder meetings, and media engagements, emphasising the importance of peace among the farmers and herders.
In the event of encroachment, the Command advised members of the general public to embrace dialogue and avoid confrontation, reporting immediately to relevant authorities for necessary action.
The CP appreciated the people of Gombe State for their usual cooperation and support, stressing that cooperation is the best way to achieve a better society.
He also assured that police personnel are always ready to respond to distress calls from the people as it is their duty to ensure safety, as contained in a statement by ASP Buhari Abdullahi, Police Public Relations Officer, Gombe State Command.
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