Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, yesterday directed security agents to ensure the exit of Fulani herdsmen from Buruku and Gboko Local Government Areas as a result of recent security breaches.

The directive came as the House of Representatives passed a resolution calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to direct the immediate disarmament of armed and strange herdsmen in Buruku and other parts of Benue State and throughout the country.

Ortom also requested them to arrest those of them responsible for killings in the areas.
He received reports after an on-the-spot security and humanitarian assessment tour of Logo and communities in Mbalagh part of Buruku Local Government Area that the invaders had killed six people in Igyorov council ward of Gboko.

Ortom said the communities in the affected areas told him they had no grazing land.
The governor gave the directives to the Commanding Officer of the 72 Special Forces Battalion, Colonel Nura Muhammad Inuwa, and the state Police Commissioner, Mr. Bashir Makama, after on-the-spot visits to trouble spots in Logo and Buruku Local Government Areas.

He lamented what he described as the cold blooded murder of residents in parts of Buruku and Gboko Local Government Areas saying it was clear that farming and grazing were incompatible.
Ortom said after hearing statements from both sides, it was clear that casualties came only from the side of the invaded communities.

The governor urged the security agencies to live up to their responsibilities of securing life and property in the state and arresting those responsible for the killings.
According to him, the security agencies have assured him that by weekend, the invaders would be flushed out and the displaced would return to their ancestral homes.

He also donated relief materials comprising foodstuff and mattresses to some of those displaced.
Ortom urged the state House of Assembly to expedite action on the anti-grazing bill to pass it into law as a response to the renewed attacks on farmers by Fulani herdsmen in the state.
The governor appealed to the assembly to suspend action on the state budget if necessary in order to concentrate and complete action on the bill.

He also appealed to the federal government to act fast in coming to the aid of the state in stemming the current menace which he said was a repeat of the 2013 attacks that left in their trail widespread loss of lives and destruction across the state.

“The federal government has been too quiet on this matter for too long, it must act fast to avoid another Southern Kaduna or Zamfara experience in Benue State.

“There is no land for grazing in Benue State that’s why I keep emphasising that ranching which is the best global practice remains the permanent solution to the farmers, herders clashes,” he said.

He enjoined the people not to resort to self-help which he said would result in more unpleasant consequences but rather report infringements on their rights to security agencies for action.

The Sole Administrator of Logo Local Government Area, Mr. Mfaga Usula, appealed to both parties to use dialogue to resolve conflicts, saying the strategy had helped him greatly in resolving disputes between Fulani herdsmen and farmers in his council area.

His Buruku Local Government area counterpart, Mrs. Justina Sorkaa, stated that eight people were killed by the invaders while indigenes of Binev, Mbatirkyaa and Mbakyongo have been displaced, and appealed for assistance to cater for those affected.

Ter Logo, Chief Jimmy Meeme, and Tor Jemgbagh, commended the governor for his concern and prompt response to tackle the crises and appealed for quick passage of the anti-grazing bill.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives yesterday passed a resolution calling on President Buhari to order the immediate disarmament of armed and strange herdsmen in Buruku and other parts of the state and throughout the country.

This followed a motion sponsored by Hon. Emmanuel Yisa Orkerjev (Buruku, APC) and 10 other House members condemning recent killings and wanton destruction of property by marauding herdmen in the state.

After an exhaustive debate on the motion, the House, which was presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Yusuf Sulaimon Lasun, unanimously resolved to further invite all heads of security agencies and service chiefs to explain measures so far taken to put an end to the crisis.

Members also urged the Inspector– General of Police to investigate the wanton killings and destruction of properties, natural habitat and livelihoods of communities in Binev Council ward, arrest the perpetrators of these barbaric acts and restore security in affected areas.

It further condemned in strong terms, the persistent invasion and attacks on Benue communities by armed herdsmen- and urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to send food and other relief materials to the affected communities.

The House had expressed dismay over the March 9, 2017 massive and violent invasion of communities in Buruku Local Government Area of the state, especially Binev Council ward by unidentified armed and strange herdsmen.

The invading herdsmen who further became violent and destructive, created fear and tension which forced residents of most communities in Binev Council Ward to flee their homes on March 10.

Members particularly raised concern over the violent attacks which continued unabated without any intervention from any security agency “throughout that Saturday and 20 people were reported killed by these armed herdsmen, out of which 10 bodies have so far been recovered and deposited at the local government.

The sponsors of the motion further stated that the strange herdsmen were heavily armed with sophisticated weapons, an indication they may be operating or supported by a killer squad of mercenaries that arrived the communities on Friday night on motorcycles and unleashed the mayhem the following day.

However, Hon. Dickson Dominic (Makurdi, APC) accused President Buhari of failing to take concrete actions to resolve the aggression almost years into his administration.
He said until the president sends a clear message to condemn the killings, the solution to herdsmen carnage maybe far fetched.

Also speaking on the development, Hon. Bashir Baballe (Kano, APC) said the motion concerned everyone, adding that the killings threatened the peaceful co-existence of the country unless immediate and serious measures were taken.

He said:”We’ve deliberated so much on such issues; it’s time to act. “
Also following in the condemnation of the barbaric acts by the herdsmen, Hon. Segun Adekola Alexandra (Ekiti Southwest, PDP) said the harassment by armed herdsmen, including kidnapping had kept locals from their farms in his state. He urged the police to act immediately and identify the herdsmen.

Also, Hon. John Dyegh (Gboko/Tarka, APC) said the assumption of the people was that the federal government had failed to protect those who brought it to power.
He said unless concrete and urgent measures were taken, the Benue people may resort to defending themselves against herdsmen attacks.

Amid the passion to find a lasting solution to the problem, Hon. Ossai Nicholas Ossai (Delta, PDP) at that point asked the House to initiate a bill under Section 4 to restrict movement of animals, which appeared to be the source of incessant clashes among farmers and herdsmen.

In his his argument, only a bill could give legal teeth to limit movement of animals.
Also lending his voice to the debate, the deputy speaker, who described the motion as extremely important said concrete measures were required to stop the killings.
According to him, the idea of motions had been over-flogged and could no longer solve the current issue as several of them had been debated without results.

 THISDAY