From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
The Idoma Area Traditional Council (IATC) has also ordered herdsmen to vacate all farms in the Benue South Senatorial District to enable farmers to commence the cultivation of crops.
Their directive came a few days after the Tiv Area Traditional Council, (TATC), issued similar directive equally ordering herders to vacate Tiv land.
The IATC, in a resolution at the end of its emergency meeting with Local Government Council Chairmen in Idoma land, presided over by the Och’Idoma, HRM John Odogbo in Otukpo, condemned the recent wanton attacks and killings in the area by suspected armed herdsmen.
The Council, in the resolution signed by the Council Secretary, Uloko Adegbe, expressed grief over the heinous act of violence perpetrated by armed herdsmen that resulted in the tragic loss of lives in the Idoma Kingdom.
While commending the efforts of the government in addressing the situation, the royal fathers urged “continued and intensified cooperation, political will from the government and called for more strategic actions and resources necessary to fully secure the homeland.
“It is therefore unanimously agreed that the state government should discuss and prevail on herdsmen to vacate all farmlands to enable farmers to resume their agricultural activities without threat or intimidation. All armed herdsmen are to be persuaded and directed to leave the area immediately to prevent further conflicts.
“All residents and stakeholders are urged to remain vigilant, cooperate with security agencies, and promptly report any suspicious activities to support peace efforts and prevent further violence.”
The Council urged the government to ensure increased security patrols and the deployment of additional security personnel to vulnerable communities, and to conduct conflict resolution training for stakeholders to deter future violence in the district.
They also reminded law enforcement agencies that the state’s Open Grazing Prohibition Law was still in force hence the need to arrest for prosecution anyone who violates the law “no matter how high or low they could be, to instill sanity in the state. No one is above the law.”
While urging Local Government Council Chairman in the District to ensure full compliance with the resolutions, the Council also emphasised that “the Federal and State Governments should show the political will to implement these resolutions by strengthen the security architecture in Idoma Land and Benue State in general.”