Mohammed Badaru, the Minister of Defence, has vowed that his ministry and security agencies in the country will not relent until they resolve farmer-herder clashes in Plateau State.
News About Nigeria reports that the Minister made known his commitment to resolving the clash when he spoke in Jos, the state capital, on Sunday during a meeting with opinion leaders, traditional rulers, and security agencies.
During the meeting, Badaru expressed concerns over ongoing violence despite efforts to address the issue.
He gave one of the major causes of the prevalent crisis to be the partitioning of communities along ethnic or religious lines.
Badaru noted that the federal government would not entertain such demands but would ensure that everyone lives together in harmony, unity, and love.
Speaking on the recent attacks and reprisals in Barkin Ladi and Riyom LGAs, resulting in the loss of lives and property, the Minister pledged to deploy all necessary assets to ensure citizens’ safety and security.
He also urged farmers and herders to renounce violence and embrace peace, recognising their interdependence for socio-economic growth.
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 aggressions. 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 LGAs 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. 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 famers/herders clashes not just in the Plateau but across other states of the federation is quite worrisome. As nature has it, both farmers and cattlebreeders need each other to survive.”
