George Okoh in Makurdi
Finding solutions to the
perennial crises between herdsmen and farmers in several communities in Nigeria
could only be achieved if the issue is approached with an open mind,
Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has said.
The vice-president, who is leading a
presidential committee to find solutions to the crises, said unless everyone
concerned viewed all the issues in the matter objectively, it would be
difficult to find lasting solutions to the problem.
Osinbajo, who
spoke through Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi that represented him during a
fact finding mission to Benue State Monday, commiserated with
the government and people of the state, saying the New Year Day killings and
subsequent ones stood condemned.
“We are here to
tell you that we feel your pains because whatever happened to Benue may affect
other ethnic groups in Nigeria. That is why in the national economic council
meetings, the issue of farmers and herdsmen’s crises were discussed extensively
after which an agreement was reached that a nine-man committee to be set up to
proffer sustainable solutions to the crisis between the two bodies,” he said.
According to the
vice-president, as part of the efforts to resolve the crises, a sub-committee
was raised to visit the four most affected states including Benue, Taraba,
Kaduna and Plateau to interact with the people and get their views.
“We have heard
the presentation of the Benue people and shall also try to hear the
presentation of the herdsmen so that sustainable resolutions could be found,”
Umahi, his representative said, adding: “The herdsmen/farmers crises is not a
Benue problem alone but a national problem, which requires national attention
and solutions.”
He clarified the cattle colony policy of the federal government, saying that states could not be forced to give up their land except they buy into the programme.
He clarified the cattle colony policy of the federal government, saying that states could not be forced to give up their land except they buy into the programme.
Receiving the
delegation, Governor Samuel Ortom thanked the committee for coming to the state.
He appreciated the committee for choosing the state as its first port of call and expressed optimism that the visit would afford its members opportunity to see things for themselves.
He appreciated the committee for choosing the state as its first port of call and expressed optimism that the visit would afford its members opportunity to see things for themselves.
“We choose the
path of peace in a civilized way to tackle the crisis even when Fulani herdsmen
are killing our people like chickens,” he said, adding: “We remain committed to
this cause in ensuring that we live in peace. We must not accept the total
deceit that is going on in the country.”
Ortom said the
anti-open grazing law started smoothly until Miyetti Allah issued a threat,
which was actually carried out by them. “Therefore, l want to urge the
committee to work assiduously to bring justice to Benue,” he stated.
The
President-General, Mzoh U Tiv, Chief Edwin Ujege, who spoke on behalf of
Benue socio-cultural groups, said the people of Benue State wanted peace and
the protection of the lives and property in accordance with Nigerian
constitution.
According to him, since the crisis started in 2011 in Benue State, well over 2,000 people have been killed including women and children with property worth N95 billion destroyed.
He said the federal government must uphold the anti-open grazing law enacted by the Benue State government.
According to him, since the crisis started in 2011 in Benue State, well over 2,000 people have been killed including women and children with property worth N95 billion destroyed.
He said the federal government must uphold the anti-open grazing law enacted by the Benue State government.
THISDAY
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