Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, has reiterated the federal government’s commitment to finding a lasting solution to the killings in Benue State occasioned by incessant farmers/herders crisis.
Osinbajo sad at a stakeholders meeting held Tuesday night during his two-day visit to IDPs camps in the state that it is the duty of government to protect the lives of its citizens as he pledged the federal government resolve to do so.
"It is important for us to know that in order to solve this problem, we must dig deep to the root, otherwise we will find a half solution, people would return to their homes, perhaps there will be peace for another year or two, after a while again it blows out. We must understand that this is a major problem."
"Every pain and anger you feel is justified and right. Anyone who has lost someone is bound to be angry and pained. When people are killed the way people have been killed either by herdsmen or anyone, it is the duty of government to protect the people," he said.
He however opined that the killings were not an ‘agenda’ to wipe out a particular race as widely spread, adding, "I have heard that there is an agenda against the people. Although I do not believe there is an agenda, but the only way we can prove that there is no agenda is to protect the people."
Osinbajo further emphasised that President Muhammadu Buhari has asked him to ensure that the obligations of government to the people are fulfilled as far as security, education and farming among others are concerned.
Earlier, some stakeholders such as, Dr Magdalyne Dura, told the Vice President that what was happening in Benue was a well organised genocide and that the blood of mudered Benue children were crying for justice.
Also, Professor Daniel Saror, urged the federal government to find an urgent way to end the killings
Meanwhile, the Tor Tiv, Professor James Ayatse in his remark expressed hope that something will be done urgently to end the killings and destruction as he stressed the need for sincerity in the current efforts to stop the crisis while adding that the ranching law of the state had come to stay.
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