Traditional rulers have called for dialogue to end the lingering boundary dispute involving neighbouring communities of Bauchi and Jigawa states.
For years, Itas-Gadau local government area, Bauchi State has been locked in a boundary hostility with its Jigawa neighbour, Kafin-Hausa local government.
Speaking during stakeholders’ meeting, the emir of Katagum, Dr Farouk Umar Farouk II, said synergy is critical to ending the conflict which had defied previous efforts.
Represented by Dr Musa Kalla, the emir said traditional institutions in the two communities have to play their social mobilisation role towards solving the conflict.
On his part, Bauchi State deputy governor who is also the chairperson Boundary Commission, Mohammed Auwal Jatau, said the state government is working in synergy with Jigawa State to ensure amicable settlement of the conflict.
The deputy governor who was represented by his special assistant on Boundary Matters, Ahmad Garba, commended traditional and community leaders in both states for their support in tackling the boundary issues in the areas.
He stressed the need for the communities with boundary issues to desist from any kind of encroachment to avert conflict and misunderstanding among them.
Director-general, National Boundary Commission (NBC), Mr Rayyanu Muhammad Zaidu, said the town hall meeting is key towards resolving the lingering conflict between communities of Kafin Hausa local government in Jigawa and Itas-Gadau of Bauchi State.