Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo on Tuesday assured traditional rulers that President Muhammadu Buhari was committed to ending herdsmen-farmers’ clashes in the country.
According to a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr. Laolu Akande, the Vice-President spoke while receiving a delegation from Batta and Bachamma communities in Adamawa State at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Osinbajo said, “President Muhammadu Buhari is determined to resolve the herdsmen-farmers clashes in Adamawa State.
“Much damage has been done, not just security-wise, but to the psyche of the people. Due to the attacks, people are afraid.
“We are also looking at repairing the damage that has been done to the infrastructure of the communities and rehabilitate the people.”
Osinbajo said a report prepared by National Animal Production Research Institute Zaria, would be considered in government’s attempt to proffer a permanent solution to the crisis.
He urged the people of the affected communities to embrace peace and not to seek revenge.
In his remarks, the Hama Batta, Mr Alhamadu Teneke, said, “We came to thank you for your visit (to Numan communities). You made promises of relief materials when you visited, and the relief materials were brought.
“Also, the Special Forces that you promised responded on time. There is now a police command with a Commissioner of Police.”
Also speaking, the Hama Bachamma, Mr Honest Stephen, echoed the words of the Hama Batta, and thanked the Presidency for its efforts in the communities.
Meanwhile, Mr Buhari on Tuesday said his government would no longer tolerate the wanton killings and kidnapping in the country.
Buhari also vowed that those involved in the murder of innocent persons would be made to face the wrath of the law.
He explained that the rise in the level of violent crime across Nigeria was having a negative impact on the development of the country.
The President, who spoke in Port Harcourt while declaring open the 9th General Assembly of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria, said he was saddened by the killings across the country.
Represented byMinister of Interior, Mr Abduraham Dambazau, the President said, “I am very worried and saddened about the persistent killings and kidnappings in our country, especially the wastage of innocent lives, particularly in Benue State.
“I have therefore directed that no effort should be spared in bringing to justice all those that are carrying out the acts. I have directed Chief of Army Staff to relocate to the North-East to ensure that the activities of Boko Haram are stopped.”
“Likewise, I have directed Inspector General of Police to relocate to Benue State to ensure that the killings are not only contained, but that those involved are brought to justice.
“As a responsible government, we will never tolerate or condone all troublemakers, criminals and killers; they should be ready to face the consequences of their acts.
“While the Federal Government is doing everything possible to tackle violence and crime in Nigeria, we expect citizens to obey the laws governing our society.”
In his remarks, Rivers State Governor, Mr Nyesom Wike, reiterated his call for the decentralisation and de-politicisation of security services as a way of resolving the security challenges facing the country.
He described Rivers as a peaceful state that had been working and brimming with ample economic opportunities for investors to take advantage.
Inspector General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris, expressed the need for a synergy between traditional rulers and security agencies; even as he stated that the monarchs knew their citizens and could help in making information available for the police to achieve its mandate.
Punch
