Migrating Fulani Herdsmen Blamed For Clashes In Benue/Nassarawa

The recent skirmishes between Fulani Herdsmen/Tiv Farmers has been attributed to the incursion of aggrieved Fulani migrants from other parts of the North through Nasarrawa to Benue State.

This revelation was made by Governor Gabriel Suswam at Yelwatta, Nasarawa State weekend during the inauguration of a 10 man-Joint Committee on Communal clashes between the Fulani Herdsmen and Tiv farmers.

While lamenting the destruction of properties and loss of lives in both states, the governor further noted the crisis has paralysed economic and farming activities in the states.

He expressed displeasure at the pain and anguish inflicted on the people, adding “I am pained that indigenes of the areas have been turned into refugees in their own states.”

In addition, Governor Suswam also sympathised with families of those who lost their loved ones especially the soldiers who lost their lives during the crisis.

He appealed to members of the committee to ensure that they calm frayed nerves and convince the displaced people to return to their homes.

“The people are facing misery and pains. Crisis brings pain, hardship and physical dislocation. We have more to gain in an atmosphere of peace and tranquility,” Suswam stated.

He pledged his administration’s preparedness to support the committee to succeed, maintaining too that the restoration of peace in the troubled areas is a collective responsibility of all and sundry.

“We need to cooperate with the committee to fish out criminals in our midst. There is no boundary dispute between the two states but criminal activities and these criminals must be brought to book. I urge the military not to be deterred in the maintenance of peace. We should build a nation where neighbours live in peace without jeopardising the lives of one another. Let the peace prevalent in these areas be restored,” he said.

Similary the Governor of Nasarawa State, Alhaji Tanko Almakura regretted that despite concerted efforts by the two states to restore peace, the crisis has continued with loss of lives and properties, increasing number of displaced persons and disruption of farming activities.

He said it is for this reason that he had to intimate Suswam on the need to pursue the peace mission to its logical conclusion so as to allow the people of the two states pursue their livelihood unhindered.

Almakura pointed out that the twin vocations of animal husbandry and farming are inseparable since both depend on land to thrive, stating that everything must be done to restore peace between the warring groups.

He also promised that his government will live up to its responsibility of ensuring that peace is restored in all the nooks and crannies of the two states and the country at large.

The 10-man Joint Committee is made up of five from both states and has one month to submit its findings to the two states.

By Ubong George/Makurdi