The Fulani and Mwaghavul communities in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, on Tuesday, gave conditions for peace to reign in the area.
Daily Trust reports that the two communities have been at loggerheads since April, which has resulted in the loss of hundreds of lives. Properties worth millions of naira were destroyed while thousands of people were displaced.
Speaking at the stakeholders meeting held in Mangu, which was conveyed by the paramount ruler of Mangu, Mishkhakam Mwaghavul, Da John Hirse, said the essence of the meeting was to beg all parties to sheathe their swords and find lasting solutions to the crisis that engulfed in the area, calling on the youth to forgive one another.
D. Dankaka, President of Mwaghavul Youth in the state said for peace to return in the area, attacks on villages and cutting down of farm produce must be stopped, adding that “For there to be lasting peace, our people should sleep with their eyes closed. Grazing of cattle on the native’s farms without permission must also be stopped. With this, we believe that there must be peace.”
Saidu Jauro, Youth Leader of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in the area, said the stop and search of Fulani members on the road and their killings must be stopped and a high powered committee comprising of Fulani and Mwaghavul youths be formed, saying that such steps would go a long way in ensuring peace between the group and Mwaghavul. He said “Our members must be allowed to move freely and their cattle to graze without fear of intimidation across the area.”
In his address, Commander of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), Major General A. E. Abubakar noted that for peace to reign, all warring parties must forgive each other.
