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From Scholastica Onyeka, Makurdi
The Force Commander, Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), Major General Sunday Igbinomwanhia, has vowed to return the harmonious relationship that existed between farmers and herders in the areas of its operation.
OPWS is the military spike operation being conducted in Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba States, with headquarters in Makurdi, the Benue State capital. It has the mandate to end herders/farmers clashes in the target areas.
Igbinomwanhia spoke in Makurdi when he met with a cross section of Fulani Ardos at the Command headquarters of OPWS in Makurdi.
The Force Commander who stated that his mandate entails ensuring that lasting peace existed between farmers and herders in the OPWS area of responsibility, said he intends to hold a joint meeting between the farmers and herders as well as leaders of the groups in order to achieve success.
Following the recent attack of herders in Benue State by suspected cattle rustlers leading to the death of 2 herders and carting away of about 50 cows and 40 sheep, operatives of the OPWS quickly intervened by identifying the families of the deceased and the owners of the rustled cattle.
The intervention became necessary to prevent reprisal attack which might be targeted at innocent citizens who have no knowledge of the rustlers’ activities.
Having successfully persuaded the Fulanis against resorting to self help and assuring them of detailed investigation of the incident, the Force Commander invited the Ardo and some of his community leaders to HQ OPWS for further consultation.
The commander warned the herders against grazing at night and also using underaged to rear cattle and further advised that in view of the Anti-Open Grazing Law that was in place in Benue State, herders should endeavor to seek permission from the relevant authorities to provide them safe passage across the state borders.
The Force Commander further assured the herders that with their support and cooperation, his plans and intentions were achievable in curtailing farmers herders clashes.
Igbinomwanhia promised the herders who told him that they had suffered several losses through cow rustling and other unwholesome activities that the Command would carry out proper investigations into their claims with the aim of arriving at an amicable solution.
Earlier, Mohammed Jubril, the Ardo of the Fulani herdsmen in Keana Local Government Area (LGA) of Nasarawa State commended OPWS for providing security for them and their property.
He also pledged the support and cooperation of herders in the area promising to provide the command with useful information to help it succeed in its operations.
Jubril appealed to the Force Commander to plead with the Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia to compensate the herders over some losses that they recently incurred and also proposed the meeting of farmers, herders and their leaders in the three states under the command.
