25th May, 2012
The Sultan of Sokoto and leader of Nigeiran Moslems, Alhaji Abubakar Sa’ad has promised to assist the government of Benue State to find a lasting solution to incessant faceoff between Tiv farmers and Fulani herdsmen which has led to the death of hundreds of people and the destruction of property worth millions of naira.
Alhaji Sa’ad who stated this, weekend, in Makurdi, Benue State, northcentral Nigeria, revealed that he had earlier constituted a committee headed by Tor Tiv, HRM Akawe Torkula and Emir of Gombe with the aim of finding a lasting solution to the crisis.
He regretted that the committee was not able to do so, stressing that a meeting between elders of the Fulani herdsmen and Tiv farmers has been fixed for Saturday, in order to find a lasting peace to the unending crisis.
The Sultan stressed the need to promote peace in the country and commended the Benue State Governor , Dr Gabriel Suswam, for building a mosque in Makurdi, an action he said has distinguished him as detribalised leader who has set aside religious and tribal sentiments to assist the Muslim community in the state to complete the age long mosque.
In his remarks ,Governor Suswam lauded the Sultan for his visit and his concern in ensuring there is lasting peace between the Tiv farmers and Fulani herdsmen, stating that the traditional ruler had always been interested in proffering solution to the constant clashes, assuring that his administration would continue to create an enabling environment for the people of the state, irrespective of their religion and tribe, to live in peace and harmony in the country.
The governor used the opportunity to appeal to the emirs and other traditional rulers in attendance to work hard to stop the activities of Boko Haram sect which he said has destroyed the entity called north.
According to him, “I am using this occasion to call on all my fathers, the emirs, Tor Tiv, and other traditional rulers here to frankly address the activities of this Boko Haram which has not only destroyed the structure of the region but has also bastardised the economic and political status of this region.”
Those on the entourage of the Sultan to Makurdi included the emirs of Lafia, Gombe and other traditional rulers from the northern part of the country as well as the Governor of Nasarawa State, Alhaji Umaru Tanko Al Makura.
—Ubong George/Markurdi