Stakeholders across Kaduna State have endorsed newly launched guidelines by the Hague Institute for Innovation of Law (HiiL), describing them as a roadmap to lasting peace in communities affected by farmer-herder conflicts.
The guidelines, unveiled in Kaduna under the Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria (SPRING) programme funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), are designed to prevent and resolve land disputes through mediation and community-based approaches rather than prolonged litigation.
HiiL Operations Officer, Mariam Abba, said the framework was developed after extensive consultations with stakeholders across affected states.
“This is the outcome of rigorous research involving key informant interviews and focus group discussions to ensure diverse perspectives were captured,” she said.
Abba added that 2,400 persons were trained across four states, including 600 in Kaduna, to serve as mediators and peace facilitators.
SPRING State Representative, Baro Emmanuel, said the programme is aimed at strengthening institutional capacity and building resilience at the grassroots.
“The goal is to ensure conflicts, particularly farmer-herder disputes, are resolved through peaceful channels while strengthening trust in institutions,” he said.
Chief Judge of Kaduna State, Justice Muhammadu Lawal Bello, described the guidelines as a welcome development and reaffirmed the judiciary’s commitment to peaceful coexistence.
Also speaking, a community leader, Isyaku Garba, commended the initiative, saying: “Peace is possible when people agree to work together. These guidelines provide us with a framework to do just that.”
Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr. Sule Shuaibu, said the initiative consolidates gains made in tackling insecurity since 2023.
“You cannot talk about peace and progress in an atmosphere of conflict. Today, the narrative has changed in Kaduna State. We have adopted inclusive approaches and early warning systems to address conflicts before they escalate,” he said.
Shuaibu commended HiiL for its interventions in the state.
“I want to thank and congratulate HiiL for the work they are doing in Kaduna State. We encourage them to do more in supporting peace and security,” he said, urging communities to embrace the guidelines as a pathway to lasting stability.