The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, has stated that the federal government is committed to resolving farmer-herder clashes in Plateau State.
Badaru, who spoke in Jos, the state capital, on Sunday during a meeting with opinion leaders, traditional rulers, and security agencies, expressed concerns over ongoing violence despite efforts to address the issue.
The meeting was held at the 3 Division headquarters in Bassa Local Government Area of the state.
He emphasized that partitioning communities along ethnic or religious lines would be disastrous and vowed that the government would not entertain such demands. Instead, he stressed the importance of living together harmoniously.
Badaru acknowledged the recent attacks and reprisals in Barkin Ladi and Riyom LGAs, resulting in the loss of lives and property and pledged to deploy all necessary assets to ensure citizens’ safety and security.
The minister urged farmers and herders to renounce violence and embrace peace, recognizing their interdependence for socio-economic growth. He also commended security personnel for their efforts and expressed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s appreciation for their performance.
The minister said that his visit aims to interact with critical stakeholders in the state to fashion out modalities to address the latest security concerns, the increasing spate of farm destruction, and cattle rustling that culminated in the recent attacks and reprisals in some parts of this State.
He said, “My presence here today is to fulfill my mandate as the Minister of Defence charged with the responsibility for the protection of our National territory both from external and internal aggression.
“Therefore, I would not relent until the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Ministry of Defence deploy all assets to ensure our people sleep with their two eyes closed.
“But firstly, I must first express my displeasure over the recurring attacks and reprisals that resulted in the loss of lives and property, especially in Jol and Sho in Barkin Ladi and Riyom LGA’s in recent times.
“These killings kept recurring despite the best efforts of our security agencies on the Plateau, especially 3 Division/OPSH, to ensure amicable settlements during any incidents involving attacks on cattle or farm destruction as well as cattle rustling.”
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The minister also expressed displeasure over the stance of some members of the communities who are disrupting farming activities during the ongoing rainy season.
He added, “I am particularly saddened by the stance of some unscrupulous elements in some communities who vowed to disrupt farming activities during the ongoing rainy season despite all efforts to resolve the security issues in your localities through diverse means.
“The continuous recurrence of farmers/herders clashes not just in the Plateau but across other states of the federation is quite worrisome.
As nature has it, both farmers and cattle breeders need each other to survive.”
Speaking with senior officers and men earlier, the minister said President Bola Tinubu is very pleased with their performance.
He urged them to continue to do their job so as to put an end to the lingering crisis on the Plateau.
FG vows to end farmer-herder clashes in Plateau