Idris Ahmed, Lafia.
In their desperate bid to profer workable solutions to the incessant crisis involving ethnic groups at the border between Benue and Nasarawa states, the Governors of the two states, Samuel Ortom and Abdullahi Sule respectively have again met at the instance of the Nasarawa state Governor.
The Benue/Nasarawa border has been witnessing violent clashes between ethnic groups on one side and herdsmen/farmers on the other, claimed several lives and properties worth millions of naira destroyed.
Series of meetings were convened by all the past Administrator and all Governors of the two states in attempt to resolve the lingering crisis, but could not make any positive headway.
The latest meeting, among series of such meetings, called at the instance of Engineer Abdullahi Sule, held at Yelwata, in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, on Wednesday.
Engineer Sule stated that the meeting became necessary following renewed conflicts along border communities in Nasarawa State, involving on the one hand, Alagos and Tivs, over boundary demarcation and on the other hand, Fulani herdsmen and Tiv farmers.
While acknowledging the support and cooperation of his Benue State counterpart, Governor Samuel Ortom, in convening the meeting, the Nasarawa State Governor, in his speech during the meeting, identified critical issues that if adequately addressed, would ensure return of lasting peace along the border communities.
Engineer Sule noted that, as the chief security officer of the state, he became worried when in the midst of combating the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, coupled with mitigating the hardship occasioned by the economic downturn caused by the pandemic, the crises along the border communities erupted.
The Nasarawa Governor identified boundary disputes and frequent excursion by the livestock guards from Benue State, who allegedly, crossover into Nasarawa State to arrest Fulani herdsmen.
While calling on the Fulani herdsmen resident in Nasarawa state to avoid grazing in disputed areas, Engineer Sule appealed to the Benue State Government to tamper justice with mercy, if herdsmen ventured into such disputed areas.
He further warned herdsmen not to crossover into Benue State because of the anti-open grazing law operating in the state.
“But I will ask further that Sir, in case anybody runs to a disputed area, let’s try to tamper justice with mercy, and try to find a way to keep them back rather than go through the rigorous anti-grazing law,” the Nasarawa Governor pleaded.
Engineer Sule used the opportunity of the meeting to once more thanked President Muhammadu Buhari, for deploying the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Special Forces to Lafia, to assist in combating banditry and other criminal activities in the North Central.
On his part, Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, equally identified the inability to conclude boundary demarcation between the two states, as well as activities of criminal elements, as responsible for the conflicts along the border communities.
While denying any knowledge of the incursion of Benue livestock guards into Nasarawa State, to arrest Fulani herdsmen, Ortom directed security agencies in Nasarawa State to henceforth arrest and prosecute any livestock guard that crosses over into Nasarawa State to arrest Fulani herdsmen.
Governor Ortom cleared the air on certain misconceptions about the anti-open grazing law operating in Benue State, stressing that Benue state is not against the Fulani rearing cattle but that they must comply with the law which bans open grazing.
He appealed to all concerned to sheath their swords and to embrace peace, as according to him, the two states have no business with conflicts.
“Crisis and destruction will only bring pains and fear and our people will continue to live in poverty.
“As two Governors responsible for the security of lives and property, that’s why we are here. I want to appeal to us, let us sheath our swords for the benefit of our two states. “
