Plateau State Governor, Simon Bako Lalong, has met with leaders of Irigwe and Fulani communities in a bid to find a permanent solution to the persisting attacks in Bassa Local Government Area of the state.
Last Saturday, some Fulani travellers were killed along Rukuba road, on the outskirts of Jos, while returning to Ondo and Ekiti states after attending a religious event in Bauchi State.
On Tuesday night, five people were also killed in Chando Zrreche despite the dusk to dawn curfew imposed on Bassa LGA, following persistent killings.
Governor Lalong, during the meeting held at the Government House in Jos, expressed displeasure that criminality in the area had been given tribal and religious connotations and snowballed into wanton destruction of lives and properties.
He frowned that several peace commitments made by farmers and herders in Bassa have not been kept over time.
Paramount leader of Irigwe land, HRH Rev. Ronku Aka, the Brra Ngwe told the governor that his people were peace-loving and accommodating and ready to live in peace with other people including Fulani.
He attributed friction between the two groups to “persistent damage to their crops and attacks on farmers who have been impoverished and rendered homeless”.
He assured the governor that despite the challenges of the past, his people were willing to forgive the past and live peacefully with not only Fulani but other people.
During a meeting with the leaders of the Fulani community, Chairman MACBAN Plateau State chapter, Alhaji Nura Muhammed, said Fulani herders, who have lived in Bassa for long, had continued to suffer attacks resulting in deaths, rustling and killing of cattle.
He said the issue of “farmer-herder clashes” was nothing but criminality which must be treated as such.
According to him, those who engage in killing Fulani, Irigwe or destroying farmlands and cattle must be fished out and punished to serve as deterrence to others.
Alhaji Nura Muhammed assured the governor that his people were willing to live peacefully with other communities and also fish out criminal elements to ensure lasting peace.
While calling on the government to look into the plight of herders, who have suffered losses, he emphasised justice, tolerance and sincerity among leaders to guide the youths on the need for peaceful coexistence.
He said Fulani who have been displaced were willing to return and live in peace.
The governor assured that the concerns raised would be addressed but said the two communities must be determined to address all issues through lawful means and also commit to tolerate and accommodate one another.
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