Farmers and herders in Plateau State have signed 25 peace agreements aimed at ending recurring violence and rebuilding trust in conflict-affected communities across Bokkos and Riyom Local Government Areas.
The agreements were reached by men and women from six rural communities, including Sha, Bum and Sopp, following a series of dialogue and reconciliation sessions designed to address longstanding tensions and promote peaceful coexistence. The initiative was facilitated by the Institute for Integrated Transitions (IFIT) as part of efforts to strengthen social cohesion and develop lasting solutions to communal clashes.
A senior district head from Bokkos, Lazaros David, described the intervention as both timely and necessary given the scale of destruction and loss experienced in the area.
“They followed the programme time after time to ensure its success. They identified our problems and discussed them together with us,” he said.
David expressed confidence that community leaders would reinforce the agreements through grassroots structures, including places of worship.
“Where you often see your people, we’ll make sure this peace holds,” he added.
Another participant, Chiroma Haruna Idris, said the engagement had improved mutual understanding between farming and herding groups.
“Our coming here has helped us understand the challenges, and we’re confident that what we’ve learned will assist us in addressing our common concerns peacefully without further disruption and confusion,” Idris said.
The peace accords come after years of deadly clashes in parts of Plateau State that have resulted in loss of lives, displacement, and destruction of property. Stakeholders say the grassroots-driven agreements could mark a significant step toward restoring stability if fully implemented.
