Middle Belt nationalities condemn FG’s posture to herdsmen/farmers clashes

Association of Middle Belt Ethnic Nationalities (ASOMBEN) has condemned the posture of the Federal Government to the incessant clashes between the herdsmen and farmers especially in the Middle Belt region.

The body accused government of doing little or nothing to end the menace beyond making empty promises.

Chairman of the group, Toma Davou who stated this at the summit of ASOMBEN, on Saturday in Jos,  Plateau State, said the menace needed to be tackled for the development and progress of the zone.

According to him, the much-touted Grazing Reserve Bill has generated fear and tension all over the country, especially in the Middle Belt, because government has not been able  to spell out the policy clearly.

Davou  said public suspicion against the bill was justified, charging the Federal  Government and other agencies responsible for it to put some factors into consideration.

On the clamour for the restructuring of the country, Davou said, while other parts of the country and eminent personalities from other zones had voiced their opinions on the subject, little or nothing had been heard from the 14 Middle Belt states and FCT.

“No one can say precisely what government is likely to do. However we should be proactive. In the eventuality that government decided to restructure the county we should have our blue print ready.

“It is imperative that we fashion out a position for the Middle Belt on the matter, document it well and give it a wide publicity now. No one should determine our destiny but we ourselves,” he said.