FIC Report (Nasarawa and Benue States) – The Governors of Nasarawa and Benue States, have pledged their commitments to ensuring the promotion of peaceful co-existence, amongst border communities of the States.
Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nassarawa State and his counterpart in Benue State, Samuel Ortom, stated this during a peace meeting between the two States held in Lafia, recently.
The Governors also appealed to the Federal Government to reconsider its decision, to withdraw operation whirl stroke, that is helping in the maintenance of peace in the border areas of the States.
The meeting was aimed at promoting peaceful co-existence in the border communities of the states, where they experienced herder/farmers crisis in the recent past as well as ensuring the maintenance of law and order in the areas.
They urged the herders and farmers to respect the anti open grazing law of Benue State and the open grazing law of Nasarawa as the laws were not meant to witch hunt anyone, but, for the purpose of peace.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman, Nasarawa State Traditional Council of Chiefs, Sidi Bage (HRH), applauded the government of the two States for the peace initiative and equally called on the Benue Government to relax the anti-open grazing law, adding that, the essence of the law had been achieved, for the sake of humanity and togetherness.
The representatives of Benue Traditional Council of Chiefs, Tor lobi, commended the effort of the two governments. He stated that the traditional rulers of Benue State were responsible for the call for the enactment of the anti open grazing law by the Benue State Government. He further appealed to the Nassarawa State Government to give a soft landing of the law with a view of considering it. (Edited by Debby)
Solomon Mundung
For Head of Centre
