The Osun Farmers’ Association has advised the new Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola to ensure that putting an end to herders-farmers clashes across the country is the topmost priority of his leadership in the ministry.
This advice was made by the association when it visited the Minister in his office in Abuja on Thursday.
Led by its Vice Chairman, Chief Hakeem Adeniyi Adelodun, the association noted that the clashes, which has claimed several lives, has also significantly affected the productivity of farmers in mostly the Southern and Middle Belt parts of the country.
Chief Adelodun added that the growing insecurity orchestrated by the clashes have put fears in the minds of the existing and intending farmers.
He said the “apart from the great negative impact on the economy, it is also degenerating to ethnic crisis among Nigerians.
“We are here to pay a courtesy visit to the ex-governor of Osun and newly appointed Minister of Interior. As farmers, we have tabled before him, the growing crisis emanating from the reoccurring clashes between farmers and herdsmen across the country, being the minister incharge of internal security.
“As someone whom I have known and have been interacting with for years, I believe in his ability to find lasting solution the menace. Farmers have been crying for long and their productivities have dropped.”
When asked about the response of the minister, the Vice Chairman said, “going by his response, we look forward to an improved internal security and an end to the clashes in few days. In short, the future is bright.”
