Miyetti Allah Hosts Peace Summit in Bauchi to Prevent Farmer-Herder Conflicts Ahead of Rainy Season

In a bid to foster peaceful coexistence and avert recurring clashes between farmers and herders, Fulani leaders under the umbrella of Miyetti Allah Dangol Fulako convened a peace summit in Miri District of Bauchi State. The summit, which was held ahead of the upcoming rainy season, was aimed at promoting dialogue, unity, and mutual understanding between farming and herding communities.

As seasonal farming activities approach, tensions often rise due to disputes over land use, grazing routes, and crop destruction. This proactive initiative seeks to address those tensions before they escalate into violence, which has historically affected lives, livelihoods, and communal relationships across the region.

ASUU Disputes Tinubu Administration’s ₦50 Billion Allowance Claim, Demands Transparency

Promoting Peace Through Dialogue and Respect

The peace summit, which drew community leaders, village heads, farmers, and Fulani representatives, featured a special prayer session for peace and unity. Fulani elders who spoke at the event emphasized the need for tolerance, patience, and the peaceful resolution of disputes. They encouraged members of their communities to adhere strictly to grazing regulations and to avoid trespassing onto farmlands.

“Our message is one of peace and understanding. We are all members of the same society, and we must learn to live together without conflict,” one of the Fulani leaders stated during the event.

District Head of Miri, Alhaji Abubakar Usman, lauded the initiative, describing it as timely and commendable. He stressed the importance of adhering to designated cattle routes and urged farmers not to encroach on those paths by planting crops there.

“These cattle routes are recognized for a reason,” Usman said. “When they are blocked, it leads to confrontation. Farmers must play their part in avoiding these conflict triggers.”

Neutrality and Fairness in Conflict Resolution

In his address, Abubakar Usman also issued a directive to village heads and hamlet leaders within his jurisdiction, urging them to maintain neutrality when handling disputes between herders and farmers. He noted that fairness in conflict resolution is crucial to sustaining peace and discouraging bias or favoritism, which often fuels further unrest.

“It is the responsibility of community leaders to act with integrity and fairness. This is the only way we can win the trust of both parties and foster long-term reconciliation,” he added.

Participants at the summit expressed hope that the engagement would yield positive results, especially during the farming season when most conflicts traditionally occur. Many believed that regular dialogue between the two groups could build trust and prevent misunderstanding that often spirals into violence.

Community-Centered Solutions for Lasting Peace

The peace summit reflects growing recognition of the need for community-driven solutions to Nigeria’s persistent farmer-herder crisis. In recent years, the conflict has been one of the most pressing security issues in the country, particularly in the North Central and Northeastern regions. It has caused loss of lives, displacement of communities, and destruction of agricultural investments.

By taking proactive steps such as organizing peace talks and fostering inter-group dialogue, community stakeholders are playing a key role in defusing tension before it escalates. Events like the Miri summit could serve as a model for other regions grappling with similar challenges.

With the rainy season approaching—a time that traditionally triggers the migration of herders in search of fresh grazing land—the summit served as a timely reminder of the importance of cooperation, shared responsibilities, and peacebuilding at the grassroots level.

As one participant aptly noted, “We must plant the seeds of peace now, before the rains come.”