Politics

Don’t resort to self help, OPWS Commander advises fulani herdsmen

Force Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke, Major General Sunday Igbinomwanhia, has called on Fulani herdsmen not to resort to self-help but to report to security operatives whenever they are faced with unwholesome activities of criminals.

General Igbinomwanhia gave the advice when he met with a cross-section of Fulani Ardos at the Command headquarters of OPWS in Makurdi yesterday.

The meeting came on the heels of a recent attack on herders in the state by suspected cattle rustlers leading to the death of two herders and the rustling of about 50 cows and 40 sheep.

Operation Whirl Stroke is the military spike operation in Benue, Nasarawa, and Taraba States, with headquarters in Makurdi, the Benue State capital

The force commander, who pledged to work assiduously towards ensuring a harmonious relationship between farmers and herders in the operational areas, stated that the intervention became necessary to prevent reprisal attacks which might be targeted at innocent citizens who have no knowledge of the rustlers’ activities

He also promised to hold a joint meeting between the farmers and herders as well as leaders of the groups in order to achieve success in his mission.

The Force Commander noted that his mandate entails ensuring lasting and enduring peace between farmers and herders in the OPWS area of responsibility.

He warned the herders against grazing at night and also using underaged to rear cattle and reminded the Fulani herdsmen of the existence of the Anti-Open Grazing Law in the state.

“Herders should endeavor to seek permission from the relevant authorities to provide them safe passage across the state borders.

General Igbinomwanhia promised to conduct a thorough investigation into claims of rustling and other unwholesome activities of criminals against herders in areas of operation.

Earlier, the Ardo of the Fulani herdsmen in Keana Local Government Area (LGA) of Nasarawa State, Mohammad Jubril, commended OPWS for providing security for them and their property.

He also pledged the support and cooperation of herders in the area and provided the Command with useful information to help it succeed in its operations.

Jubril appealed to the Force Commander to plead with the Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, to compensate the herders for some losses that they recently incurred.

The Ardo further proposed the need to hold another meeting comprising farmers, herders, and their leaders in the three states under the Command.

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