Leaders of Hausa/Fulani herdsmen in Abia State have signed a peace pact with community leaders in a move to prevent clashes between farmers and herdsmen in the State.

The peace pact was signed in the presence of the state Commissioner of Police, Adeleye Oyebade in a town hall meeting organized by the state committee on herdsmen in Umuahia, the state capital.

Speaking during the meeting, Oyebade said the meeting became necessary because “the unity of this country is paramount and not negotiable.”

He said the essence of the peace meeting was to avoid the persistent clashes between farmers and herdsmen in other states.

Oyebade stated that the country’s constitution allows for peaceful coexistence and freedom of movement.

“Just as the herdsmen have the right to migrate to any part of the country the law does not allow the destruction of another’s property/farm.

“The issue of destroying of farms crops, killing of cows and poisoning of water which in most cases breed trouble is what we are trying to find a lasting solution to with the aim of avoiding unnecessary conflicts now or in the future,” he added.

Speaking during the meeting, Oyebade said the meeting became necessary because “the unity of this country is paramount and not negotiable.”