– Benue state government provided soldiers to protect Fulani herdsmen allegedly grazing on Agatu farmlands
– The governor has however claimed that there was an agreement between the government, Agatu people and Fulani herdsmen to provide certain part of the farmland for grazing
After several Agatu people kicked against Benue government’s decision to give out their farmlands to Fulani herdsmen to graze on, Benue governor, Samuel Ortom has allegedly enlisted the help of Nigeria army to protect Fulani herdsmen grazing on farmlands.
Daily Post reported that the deputy Governor of Benue state, Engr. Benson Abounu announced the government’s decision while addressing newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday, January 24.
Benue state governor provide security for Fulani herdsmen grazing on Agatu land
Abounu however, denied that the state Government ever sold the portion of land to Fulani herdsmen, stressing that it was the people of Agatu who entered into agreement with the Fulani herders on ceding of lands.
READ ALSO: How Fulani herdsmen almost killed me – Farmer
He said: “The agreement to allow cattle of the Fulani people who are known to the Agatu graze on that piece of land does not transfer ownership of the island to the Fulani.”
He also said the people of Agatu were ably represented in the peace summit where the agreement was signed.
He said: “The peace treaty as contained in the communiqué issued after the joint State Security Council meeting was a mutual agreement between the Agatu and Fulani people.
“It was not forced on the Agatu people as all that were contained therein came from the position of the Agatu people themselves as delivered by their representatives in the person of Mr. Akpa Idu.”
The deputy Governor, therefore, made the position of the state government clear on the provision of security for the Herders and their cattle, to avoid any attack from the people of Agatu.
“Arrangements was also made with the Nigerian Army to provide armed soldiers to watch the cows while grazing in order to prevent further movement from the island.”
READ ALSO: Police teargas Shiite protesters in Abuja
Meanwhile, Governor Samuel Ortom, has called on the Agatu people of Benue state to forgive the Fulani people who pillaged their homes and killed several people during a communal fight.
He enjoined the Agatu to give peace a chance and cohabit with indigenous Fulani as was the case before the communal fight.
Governor Ortom made this call during his visit alongside Nasarawa state governor, Tanko Umaru Al-Makura, to Agatu local government area on Wednesday, January 18.
360naze
No comments:
Post a Comment