The people of Sankera geo-political axis of Benue State, comprising Katsina-Ala, Ukum and Logo Local Government Areas, have lauded the peace initiative of Governor Samuel Ortom, saying it has secured their lands.
Representatives of the communities gave the commendation during the ongoing inauguration of a committee to stem herdsmen and farmers hostilities in their separate local governments.
Performing the inauguration, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Mr Edwin Jando, told members of the committee to ensure strict adherence to the terms of reference of the committee.
He said Governor Ortom was worried over the spate of attacks on farmers recently, the reason he said necessitated the initiation of the committee to forestall further occurrence.
He further asked the security formations not to allow foreign Fulanis migration to Benue except where it was ascertained that they would not come in to cause trouble.
Receiving the Security Adviser in Logo, the sole administrator, Honourable Mfaga Usua, commended Governor Ortom for deploying security operatives to Logo and for the peace initiative. He described it as timely, but appealed to the Governor to take measures to secure their borders, especially the Nasarawa border that is bounded by a thick forest which often serves as a save haven for the invaders.
In his remarks, Ter Logo, His Royal Highness, Mr Jimi Menme, applauded the Governor’s initiative and appealed to him to take steps to protect the Traditional Institution, saying that the insecurity in Sankera was taking a worrisome dimension with attacks and killing of Traditional Rulers.
He described the sacking of his subjects by Fulani herdsmen as a threat to food security.
The chairman of Logo Traditional Council appealed to the youths to embrace farming and other meaningful ventures rather than taking to crime and other social vices that brought unrest to the axis.
While commending Governor Ortom for the initiative, the Sole Administrator of Ukum Local Government, Honourable Asawa Agee, said security was everybody’s business and pledged the support of Ukum people towards actualising the dream of a peaceful Benue.
Acting ruler of Ukum, Mr Teran Kwaghbo, appealed to the Governor to sustain the fight against Fulanis invasion and other crimes saying there was no free land particularly in Ukum local government for open grazing.
The Sole Administrator for Katsina-Ala, Honourable Vera Akua and the representative of Ter Katsina-Ala and district head of Katsina-Ala Township, Mr Cliff Ioraa, observed that no society would develop in an atmosphere of chaos.
They called on youths to embrace the peace initiative of Governor Ortom, promising to abide by the terms of reference of the committee.
The inauguration of another committee will hold in Ushongo, Gboko, Buruku and Tarka Local Governments all aimed at ending herdsmen and farmers clashes.
