Forum Demands National Conference On Farmer-Herder Conflicts

The Interfaith Dialogue Forum for Peace (IDFP) has called for a national conference to address the escalating farmer-herder conflicts which has fueled deadly violence in states like Benue, Kebbi and Plateau.

The group urged the federal government to tackle underlying issues such as land use, grazing protocols and food security, which continue to drive clashes between communities.

In a joint statement, IDFP co-chairs, Rev. Abainitus Akila Hamman and Dr Yussuf Yakub Arrigasiyyu, also demanded immediate humanitarian aid for victims of recent attacks which have caused loss of life, mass displacement and destruction of property.

The forum called for the deployment of well-trained joint military-police forces to protect vulnerable populations and apprehend perpetrators.

It further proposed strengthening early warning systems through community-driven intelligence networks to prevent attacks before they escalate.

The IDFP urged the establishment of a judicial commission of inquiry to investigate the violence, with a public report due within three months to ensure justice.

The group also pressed for urgent support for flood-affected communities, including shelter, food, medical aid and long-term flood prevention measures.

“Economic relief packages were recommended to assist vulnerable families in conflict- and disaster-affected areas. We stand in solidarity with affected communities and pray for healing across the nation,” the IDFP stated.

The forum described the persistent violence and its enabling conditions as unacceptable, stressing that every life lost diminishes Nigeria’s collective humanity.