Gombe Govt Intervenes In Farmer-Herder Dispute

Gombe State government has intervened in the rising tension over alleged encroachment on cattle routes in Kunji Village, Yamaltu-Deba local government area.

The move is to forestall fresh clashes between farmers and herders in the area.
The dispute arose from reports that some crop farmers had encroached on designated grazing paths, while herders were accused of allowing cattle to stray into farmlands, leading to the destruction of crops.
Determined to prevent the situation from escalating into a violent conflict, the government, through the Gombe State Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) Project, activated rapid response mechanisms.

According to L-PRES, on Wednesday, the State Project Coordinator, Prof. Usman Bello Abubakar, promptly dispatched a high-level delegation from the State Coordination Office to collaborate with security agencies, traditional leaders, and representatives of farming and pastoralist communities.

The delegation, led by the Project’s Social Safeguard Officer, Barrister Naomi Mwalin Abdu, included the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Divisional Security Officer (DSO), the Village Head, and the state chairman of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Ardo Chindo, among other key stakeholders.

During the on-the-spot assessment, the team inspected the alleged encroached cattle routes and listened carefully to grievances from both sides. Farmers voiced concerns over the destruction of their crops, while herders expressed frustration over restricted access to grazing paths, which they said threatened the survival of their livestock.

Addressing both groups, the delegation stressed the importance of dialogue, patience, and peaceful coexistence. They assured the community that the government remains committed to balancing the needs of farmers and pastoralists to ensure stability, food security, and sustainable livelihoods.

The team further resolved to reconvene with broader stakeholders for in-depth deliberations aimed at crafting durable, mutually beneficial solutions.

Under the L-PRES Project, the Gombe State Government is already undertaking the resurvey, remapping, and re-demarcation of 37 cattle routes and eight grazing reserves across the state.

The initiative, according to the officials, is designed to mitigate recurring farmer-herder conflicts, facilitate livestock mobility, and promote agriculture as a driver of economic growth and peaceful coexistence.