Farmers/Herders’ clash: Be conflict sensitive, IPCR DG tells journalists


The Director-General, Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), Dr. Bakut T. Bakut, Sunday, cautioned the media to be conflict sensitive in their reportage on farmers and herders’ clash.

Bakut, who spoke in a statement issued by the institute’s media unit and signed by Ms. Esther Ndukwe, also sued for peace among Nigerians, saying that the level of tension all over the country arising from conflicts of various sorts was very alarming.

The institute’s DG, however, condemned in the strongest terms, the acts of criminality, banditry and terrorism perpetrated against the Nigerian men and women.

He said: “The IPCR also uses this medium to plead with the media to be conflict sensitive in their reportage for this is the sure way to entrench peace, love, unity and tolerance which are the ideals that would keep our national cohesion, and douse the climate of tension that has already beclouded the entire country.  

“The level of tension all over the country arising from conflicts of various sorts has become a thing of concern to well-meaning Nigerians. We have painstakingly monitored and tracked resource based-conflicts which includes the farmers and herders conflict that has assumed a gargantuan height and almost snowballing into an ethnic dimension.

“This, alongside kidnapping, banditry, and communal clashes has constituted a horrific security challenge and unimaginable hardship on the Nigeria populace. The heightened situation has created mutual suspicion among the Nigeria’s diverse ethnic groups that hitherto co-existed peacefully and tolerated one another.  

“While the institute appreciates the efforts being made by the Federal and State Governments especially the selfless commitments of the Security Agencies as well as the Civil Society Organizations and individuals in stemming the tide and ensuring the safety of our citizens, the Director-General frowns at, and condemns in the strongest terms, the dastardly acts of criminality, banditry and terrorism against our country men and women”.

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