Dr Goke Adesiyan, an expert in peace and conflict resolution, on Thursday advised the Federal Government to constitute a conflict resolution panel, to end incessant clashes between herdsmen and farmers in Nigeria.
Adesiyan, who gave the advice in an interview with newsmen in Osogbo, noted that the clashes were becoming “dangerous” and needed to be tackled to ensure peaceful coexistence.
According to him, a conflict resolution panel is necessary to aggregate the diverse interests of the warring factions and set up terms of engagement to address differences.
He said: “It is so disheartening that this is happening now, when the level of insurgency in the country is becoming more worrisome and unbearable.
“I believe that a very robust strategy needs to be designed to tackle this ugly trend headlong for us to avert a major crisis that will degenerate the security situation in the country the more.
“A conflict-resolution panel needs to be constituted, as a matter of exigency, to aggregate the contradicting interests of the parties and make them meet one another for amicable resolution.
“Also, the warring parties must first and foremost cultivate a patriotic mind-set for peace to reign and for the sustainability of our democracy.”
Adesiyan also urged the law enforcement agencies in the country to be more proactive and check the menace of illegal migrants, taking advantage of the nation’s porous borders to wreak havoc.
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