Ademola Adegbite writes on the incessant killing among Fulani herdsmen of Nasarawa State and Tiv farmers in Benue State and the inherent danger this poses unless proactive measures are taken to stem the menace.PALPABLE fear and anxiety have enveloped the residents of Tse Yaji, Idoka, Kadarko, Rukubi, Apata and Giza, all within the border areas of Nasarawa and Benue states over the incessant maiming and killing between Fulani herdsmen and Tiv farmers.The entire area is almost engulfed in an atmosphere of criminality considering the incessant attacks, shootings, maiming and killings of several people in the areas. Nasarawa and Benue are known as agrarian states; while residents of one herd cattle, the indigenes of the other are involved in the farming of yam, cassava and other crops.For over a year, the two states have been engulfed in issues that have resulted in the destruction of lives and properties on both sides; Fulani herdsmen had lost cattle, while the farmers, majority of who are Tivs, from Benue also lost lives, farm produce as well as their farms. When the attacks first started, observers noted that the governments took the matter with levity, stating that now casualties are being recorded virtually on a daily basis on both camps. Yet, relief doesn't seem to be forthcoming. The Fulani alleged that their cows were being rustled; hence they were moved into Benue State.Tiv farmers, on their part, alleged that their farms were being trespassed; saying when cattle were allowed to graze on a particular farm land, the attendant economic loss was humongous. To this end, the two tribes continue to be at loggerheads. Investigations by the Nigerian Tribune reveal that the two groups of people are not ready to sheathe their swords, as vengeance continues to be their watchword. The governments have set up committees to look into the remote and immediate causes of the crises and have been said to have completed their sittings, while promising to submit their findings and recommendations at the end of the month. Yet as the skirmishes between Fulani nomads and Tiv farmers continue, care must be taken to end this hostility before it degenerates into a full-fledged upheaval between Nasarawa and Benue states before committees set up to look into the matter submit their reports.Already, the unrest in the land has prompted Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State to pay a visit to his counterpart in Nasarawa, Alhaji Umaru Tanko Al-Makura; at the Lafia Government House penultimate Monday to fashion out ways to curb incessant crises among members of the two tribes.At the meeting which was attended by top government functionaries from both states; traditional rulers, community leaders as well as chairmen of troubled local government areas and commissioners of police, the governors spoke at length, while reading the Riot Act to the council chairmen and holding the traditional rulers responsible for any tribal clash recorded within their jurisdictions. They in turn promised and assured that they would bring the situation under control.Governor Suswam said there was no reason or basis whatsoever for acrimony. He said he had been very conscious of the security of two states since he assumed duty and appreciated his colleague-governor, Al-Makura, for being proactive in joining hands with him with a view to addressing security issues affecting both states.According to Suswam, it had become imperative that 'we meet as leaders of the two states to take some immediate measures that can stem the crisis before it degenerates, pending the time we will receive the report and properly act on it. We believe some recommendations will guide us to take action.In his own speech, Governor Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State said communal violence, inter-ethnic conflicts along the internal border areas and violent clashes between farmers and itinerant herdsmen had continued to threaten co-existence and, indeed, the development efforts.This, according to him, was pursued through personal involvement and community engagement in constructive dialogue. 'We are also collaborating with our sister state of Benue and my brother, Barrister Gabriel Suswam, the governor, towards providing a permanent solution to the recurrent clashes between Fulani herdsman and Tiv farmers which have become highly unpredictable.'Surprisingly and unknown to the governors at their meetings, some gunmen believed to be Tiv farmers, were also perfecting their own strategies on how to wreak another havoc on their opponents.A day after the meeting, Tuesday, March 20, some people believed to be Tiv farmers dared governmentand struck again by killing 32 cows valued at N4.2 million, belonging to a Fulani herdsman, Muhammed Jubril at Idoka Village in Doma Local Government area of Nasarawa State.This action was said to have been a reprisal by Tiv farmers, whose village was reportedly invaded twice in the month of March by suspected Fulani herdsmen.He has since reported the case to Doma Police station and full-scale investigation is said to be ongoing. Nigerian Tribune reliably gathered that despite the involvement of Nasarawa State Police Command to fish out and bring to book the perpetrators of this dastardly act, Jubril was said to be adamant on taking laws into his hand.At the weekend again, two persons were killed by gunmen believed to be Fulani. Obviously, the tribal crisis may get out of hands, if not checked in time, as casualty is on the increase on daily basis.Reacting to the situation, the Nasarawa State Police Command Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Cornelius Ocholi, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), said, 'There is nowhere you go, no matter how remote the area is, you will see policemen. Our people have taken control of the whole area now; necessary machinery has been put in place. I'm assuring you that there won't be any attack or killing again in these troubled areas. The Commissioner of Police has warned all the 23 Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) to buckle up and face security challenges within their jurisdiction, so there is no problem whatsoever. Rest assured of that.
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