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Govs, security agencies adopt strategy to tackle killings Benue, others

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8 years ago

January 10, 2018

The Federal Government and states engulfed in herdsmen violence have hammered out a strategy to end insecurity in their states.

The strategy will not be made known to citizens, according to the stakeholders, though they are asking for citizen cooperation.

This is the major outcome of a five-hour crucial security meeting convened by the Minister of Interior, retired Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, in Abuja on Monday.

Governors of Adamawa, Benue, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Niger and Taraba states, and heads of security agencies were present.

Addressing newsmen after the meeting, Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue said there is now synergy among the security agencies, the federal and state governments to combat the challenge.

Ortom would not give details of the strategies, saying it was a security matter not meant for public consumption.

“As you can see all the governors of the states where we have the most challenging security problem are here.

“We have dialogued; we have looked at the problem with the security chiefs and appreciated each other.

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“One thing that is central is that we have agreed that killing in any form is not allowed; security men must apprehend and prosecute those responsible.

“There is no point politicising these killings; it is the responsibility of all Nigerians to eliminate the criminality that is resulting in the killings,” Ortom said.

The governor said it was also agreed at the meeting that Nigerians should desist from hate speeches that were fuelling the crisis.

He urged Nigerians to see it as a national challenge that demanded the efforts of all to be checked.

Ortom had earlier been quoted as saying that the Federal Government and security agencies had abandoned Benue in the recent killing spree by herdsmen in the state.

He now confirmed had received from both parties at the meeting, he said more security personnel, equipment and logistics have been deployed to the state.