Benue Govt, Fulani Herdsmen Sign Peace Accord

 Gov Gabriel Suswam

Fulani herdsmen and their host communities in Benue State Monday agreed to bury their hatchets and embrace peace, which had eluded the farming settlements in the last two years.

In a special press briefing after a full day meeting between the Presidential Peace Committee led by the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), Michael Zoukumor, and the state Chairman, Conflict Resolution and Peace Building Committee, Brigadier General John Atom Kpera (rtd); the National President Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Alhaji Bello Abdullahi Bodejo, in Government House, Makurdi, all members of the peace committee agreed on a cessation of hostilities and warned that no party should attack another any further.

The meeting also agreed that the Fulani's can graze freely in Benue State but should do so co-existing with the farmer in the state.

They agreed that a joint committee of the Tiv and Agatu people in the state and the Fulani herders should form a joint committee that would check criminal activities on both sides of the aggrieved parties.

In his address, Kpera said both the Benue farmers and the Fulanis had lived together for decades, adding that armed fighters disguising as Fulani herdsmen are responsible for the destruction of the vast area of the state.

He praised the state and federal governments for their efforts to bring the crises to an end even as he warned the people in the state not to take the laws into their hands.

"Avoid taking the laws into your hands and avoid peddling, rumours and false stories that are capable of heightening the feeling of insecurity and fear so that we can bring the crises to an end.

Reacting to the peace agreement, the National President of Miyetti Allah, Bodejo, said the Fulani herders were in agreement with the peace move and wouldl abide by the resolutions.

He said the crises were not caused by the herders but criminal elements taking advantage of the crises.

In his remarks, DIG Zoukumor said the police would ensure that the peace accord is implemented and called on the media to help in bringing the crises to an end.