The German government on Monday pledged support for ongoing reconciliation efforts between farmers and herders in Benue State, aimed at restoring lasting peace.

Thomas Rachel, a member of the German Parliament and Commissioner for Freedom of Religion and Belief, made the commitment when he led a team on a courtesy visit to Governor Hyacinth Alia in Makurdi.

He said Germany would support all legitimate processes that promote peaceful coexistence between farmers and herders.

The commissioner highlighted the strong bilateral relationship between Germany and Nigeria, noting shared democratic values and cooperation in promoting peace, multilateralism, and development.

The lawmaker described Benue as Nigeria’s “food basket” and acknowledged the challenges facing the state, including farmer-herder conflicts, religious tensions, and illegal mining.

He said Germany was interested in understanding these issues and supporting solutions through dialogue and collaboration among relevant stakeholders.

He added that the German government was already contributing to peacebuilding efforts in the state by providing funding to the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue.

“Our role is to support the Benue State government with funding from the German government through the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue.

“This is an important measure to support peace. It is the responsibility of local leaders to find solutions, but we are committed to supporting initiatives that improve the humanitarian situation and promote peace,” he said.

In his remarks, Mr Alia expressed optimism that ongoing peacebuilding efforts were yielding positive results, particularly in addressing farmer-herder conflicts.

Represented by his deputy, Sam Ode, the governor emphasised that Nigeria is a secular state, as guaranteed by Sections 10 and 38 of the 1999 Constitution, which ensure government neutrality in religious matters and freedom of worship.

Mr Alia explained that seasonal migration of pastoralists across West Africa had, in recent decades, intensified clashes with farmers due to pressure on land and grazing space.

He noted that in Benue, where the majority of rural residents depend on agriculture, the situation had led to violent conflicts and loss of lives.

While describing pastoralism as a long-standing practice, the governor said the crisis had worsened due to the infiltration of criminal elements and bandits.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting its citizens, maintaining neutrality, and strengthening peacebuilding efforts.

“In the dry season, pastoralists move across the West African sub-region into the southern parts of Nigeria. This transhumance has existed for centuries, but in recent decades, pressure on land has forced herders into farmlands, leading to conflicts and the tragic loss of lives.

“In Benue, over 95 per cent of the rural population depends on agriculture. The government has made sustained efforts to de-escalate these conflicts, and we remain committed to that goal.

“We are not supporting any group; we have a duty to protect our citizens. Unfortunately, genuine pastoralists have been infiltrated by bandits, leading to senseless killings. As a government, we are committed to deepening the peacebuilding process,” he said.

Mr Alia said the state government had already enacted the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law in 2017 to checkmate the activities of all livestock farmers in the state.

(NAN)