By Muhammed Danjuma Ogwu, Lafia
Stakeholders of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Nasarawa and Benue States have called on their members to actively pursue peace and resolve ongoing clashes with farmers in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s efforts to restore stability in the region.
The National President of MACBAN, Baba Othman-Ngelzarma, made the call on Thursday in Lafia during a peace-building meeting with members and stakeholders from both states.
The meeting, held in the Lafia Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, was aimed at fostering dialogue and de-escalating tensions in farming communities.
Ngelzarma urged members to embrace open dialogue, adding that the cycle of violence between herders and farmers has led to tragic losses of lives and livelihoods across Benue and Nasarawa. He described the conflicts as “one of the most heartbreaking realities facing Northern Nigeria.”
“We must disown and isolate every element within our ranks that promotes confrontation or criminality,” he stated. “Conflicts over land, water, and grazing have become far too frequent, and the consequences are too dire to ignore. It is time to change our approach.”
Emphasizing that retaliation is not justice, the MACBAN President called for empathy, dialogue, and mutual understanding as the path forward. He added that peaceful coexistence is essential for both agricultural and pastoral livelihoods to thrive.
Ngelzarma also applauded the ongoing efforts of federal, state, and local governments, as well as civil society organizations, in resolving the crisis and promoting dialogue between communities.
He called on traditional rulers to play a more assertive role in mediating disputes and fostering reconciliation, describing them as “custodians of our values and cultures” and “bridges between communities.”
The MACBAN President further advocated for the inclusion of youth in peace-building processes. “An idle and aggrieved youth population is a breeding ground for chaos. But a youth population included in peace processes can become our greatest asset,” he said.
Ngelzarma also commended President Tinubu for his recent visits to conflict-affected states, including Benue, Nasarawa, and Plateau. “Mr. President’s presence among the victims of these unfortunate crises has rekindled hope,” he said. “It has reminded us that this nation belongs to all of us—farmers, herders, settlers, indigenes, and all ethnic and religious groups.”
He appealed directly to farming communities, saying, “We need you, and you need us. Agriculture and livestock are two sides of the same coin. One cannot thrive without the other. Let us talk. Let us forgive. Let us plan together.”
The peace dialogue was attended by MACBAN State Chairmen from Nasarawa and Benue, security agency representatives, Fulani leaders, rural youth groups, and other stakeholders.