Peace is gradually returning to Benue - IGP Ibrahim Idris

- The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, met with senior officials of the Benue and Nasarawa governments over clashes between herdsmen and farmers

- Ibrahim Idris says relative peace is gradually returning to Benue state

- The officials of the two state governments confirm that there is no friction between them

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, has given a situation report about the clashes between herdsmen and farmers in Benue declaring that peace was gradually returning to the middle-beltan state.

The Nation reports that IGP Idris spoke at peace meeting with stakeholders from Benue and Nasarawa states in Abuja adding that it would be the second meeting he had held as part of measures to end the crises in the two states.

The first meeting scheduled for January 15, according to the report, was stalled because both governors were absent.

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The report said the delegation delegation from Benue was led by Deputy Governor Benson Abuonu while that of Nasarawa was led by the special adviser to the governor on security, Muhammad Adeka.

“I know a lot of effort and progress have been made in trying to resolve the crisis between both states, because I was in both states and I conducted an on-the-spot assessment.

“The DIG Operations is presently in Benue to coordinate our operation in that area and from his feedback, the situation is getting back to normal.

“By the grace of God, I am sure the challenge we had in the past will never come back to us,” Idris said at the meeting.

On his part, Adeka said: “I don’t want the people to leave here with the notion that the government or the people of both states are at war because of the word ‘peace and reconciliation’ which is used to describe the meeting.

“Nasarawa state does not have any problem with Benue state. We have our conflict resolution mechanism which has helped us for long, and we are willing to give it to Benue to resolve whatever skirmishes it has.

“The only thing that concerns us is the ripple effect of the open grazing prohibition law, which the government and people of Nasarawa state are not in a position to contradict.

“We are not against the law, but the ripple effect has affected us severely. We, however, won’t chase the people away. Our government has done everything to accommodate all those running away from the law.”

Also speaking, Abuonu said: “The best we can do for our children and children’s children is to maintain peace so that cordiality exists between both states.

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“We cannot afford to have anything less than peace. If we must develop a strong united country, then we must have peace that is founded on justice, equality, security and equity.

“Benue is hundred per cent for peace, and we will do everything possible to ensure that the current crisis is resolved.”

Legit.ng earlier reported that the Benue state command of the police is reported to have arrested four suspects in connection with the January 1 massacre in Benue state.

The suspects were also arrested over the killings of Sgt Solomon Dung and other police officers.

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Source: Legit.ng