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From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
The Benue NGOs Network, (BENGONET) has called on the Federal Government to, among other things, establish a permanent security outpost within Turan community in Kwande Local Government, Benue state.
The organization made this call during a press conference in Makurdi yesterday, after a two-day field visit to Jato Aka town and surrounding communities within Kwande LG to understand the root causes of the prolonged crisis in the region.
BENGONET Chairman, Lazarus Mom, lamented the prolonged suffering, insecurity, and neglect in the area, saying that their findings revealed that over 5,700 lives have been lost since the crisis began in the area in 2011.
Mom said more than 150,000 persons have been displaced from their ancestral homes with widespread destruction of homes, farmlands, schools, health centers, markets, and places of worship also seen in the area, just as the socio-economic and cultural fabric of entire communities has been decimated.
He told newsmen that after an extensive discussion with community members during their visit, they identified the root causes of the crisis to include:unresolved boundary disputes between Turan in Benue state and Jukun communities in Taraba state.
“This was however, intensified by competition over mineral-rich lands, unregulated open grazing and poor enforcement of the Anti-Open Grazing Law, leading to recurrent attacks by armed herders.”
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They also noted insufficient security presence before and after attacks; with communities demanding a permanent military/security base, poor road infrastructure, which hampers emergency response and movement of people and goods.
The organization also noted the absence of formal Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps or coordinated humanitarian response in the area despite years of displacement.
They urged the government and all relevant stakeholders to act without delay and facilitate a high-level dialogue between the Benue and Taraba states governments, with the National Boundary Commission, to resolve the long-standing boundary disputes.
Also, BENGONET called for the enforcement and where necessary, review of the Anti-Open Grazing Law to ensure better protection of rural communities.
“We also recommend for immediate government intervention the establishment of a permanent security outpost within Turan to serve as a deterrent and rebuild community trust.
They also called for the next construction of strategic access roads to improve security logistics and community connectivity, partnership with SEMA and NEMA to set up a formal IDP camp in Kwande LGA and roll out comprehensive, coordinated humanitarian support.
The organization also called for support for community vigilance groups with logistics and training, under the supervision of formal security agencies, to enhance grassroots security and expressed readiness to support in any way necessary to restore peace and rebuild hope in Turan and its neighbouring communities.
