Herdsmen/farmers clashes: Learn to accommodate your countrymen, Buhari begs Benue leaders
President Muhammadu Buhari has appealed to Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State and other leaders not to embark on reprisal attacks due to the recent killings allegedly perpetrated by Fulani herdsmen in the state.
The President said this on Monday when he received a delegation of political leaders, traditional rulers and elders of the state led by Governor Samuel Ortom at the presidential villa.
He (Buhari), however, vowed that all those involved in the conflict that culminated in loss of lives would not escape justice, “including any illegally armed militia in the state”.
The president commiserated with all the victims of the attacks, and the families who lost loved ones and properties, saying that the government would make efforts to ameliorate the situation of all the victims.
“Your Excellency, the governor, and all the leaders here, I am appealing to you to try to restrain your people. I assure you that the Police, the Department of State Security and other security agencies had been directed to ensure that all those behind the mayhem get punished.
“I ask you in the name of God to accommodate your countrymen. You can also be assured that I am just as worried, and concerned with the situation,’’ he said.
The president told the delegation that his administration had already begun a process of finding lasting solution to the perennial challenge of herdsmen conflict with farmers and communities around the country.
Mr. Buhari said the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, had been directed to relocate to the state to provide security for lives and properties, urging all Benue indigenes to trust the security agencies and report all suspicious cases of movements in the state.
In his remarks, the Benue State Governor said the tension would be reduced with the Federal Government’s intervention to find a lasting solution to the herdsmen attacks.
“We will leave here to rebuild confidence in our people,’’ he said.
The Tor-Tiv, James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse, said his entire domain had been thrown into mourning due to the incessant attacks.
“We want you to put an end to the gruesome situation,’’ he added.
Present at the meeting were Benue State Deputy Governor, Benson Abounu; former Senate President, David Mark; former Benue State Governor, George Akume and Sen. Barnabas Gemade.
Others include Sen. JK Waku, Lawrence Onoja, John Atom Kpera, former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Michael Aondoakaa, Speaker of Benue State House of Assembly, Terkimbir Kyambe, and other members of the National and State Assembly from the State.
Mr. Ortom told journalists after the meeting that his state will not accept the proposed cattle colonies.
