The Oyo State Chapter of the Alliance on Surviving Covid-19 And Beyond (ASCAB) has called on the state government to urgently set up a Community Conflict Resolution Committee (CCRC) to resolve the issues of insecurity, banditry, killings, kidnapping, allegations of land grabbing, among others in Igangan.
According to ASCA, the committee should comprise high-level representatives of the state government, host community, the Fulani settlers and other settlers, security agencies, including the newly established Amotekun security outfit.
ASCA said the recommended committee should be replicated in all other communities in Oyo State facing similar challenges.
The group said the terms of reference of the committee should be governed by the following goals and principles:
1. Whoever commits any crime, regardless of ethnic origin, shall be fished out, prosecuted and punished according to law.
2. Whoever aids and abets or gives cover to any one who commits any crime, regardless of ethnic origin, shall be fished out, prosecuted and punished according to law.
3. Support for government to enforce ranching of cattle and other animals, within an agreed time frame with a view to prohibiting open grazing of cattle.
4. Immediate stoppage of night grazing.
5. Herders who graze cattle leading to destruction of farm produce shall bear full responsibility for adequate compensation of the victim.
6. Nobody shall resort to self-help or take laws into his/her hands. Reports of suspected criminal activities shall be lodged to law enforcement agencies.
7. Government shall provide help lines on free toll basis for emergency cases of insecurity.
8. Firm undertaking by government to investigate all reports, provide feedback to complainants and take necessary action to bring culprits to justice.
9. Strengthening the capacity, and insisting on the responsibility, of the Nigeria Police to protect the life and property of all Nigerians in their areas of authority.
10. The COMMUNITY CONFLICT RESOLUTION COMMITTE (CCRC) should be a standing committee as opposed to an Ad-Hoc Committee, to bring all sides together; to discuss disputed issues; understand each others point of view; and find ways forward to avoid and prevent violence on the future and promote peaceful co-existence in a multi-ethnic reality of Nigeria.
The group said it is convinced that if the Community Conflict Resolution Committee (CCRC) is set up on the above suggested principles, peaceful co-existence would be restored and maintained in Igangan.
