NAN-DS-6
Attacks
By Awayi Kuje
Nasarawa (Nasarawa State), May 22, 2017 (NAN) Alhaji Hassan Ahmed, the Emir of Nasarawa in Nasarawa State, has warned farmers and herdsmen in the area against taking laws into their hands in the interest of peace.
He gave the warning on Monday during a peace and security meeting in Nasarawa, Nasarawa Local Government Area of the state.
The traditional ruler said he called for the meeting to find a lasting solution to the conflicts between Agatu farmers and herdsmen in the area.
He warned both parties against reprisal attacks and urged them to always report their grievances to the appropriate authority for necessary action instead of taking laws into their hands.
He said “it is our role to preach peace and to advise our subjects and Nigerians on the need to live in peace and tolerate one another, irrespective of ethnic, religious and political affiliations.
“No nation can develop in an atmosphere of rancour and confusion. The security challenges facing some parts of the country had affected our lives and socio-economic development negatively.
“It is in view of this that I urge farmers and herdsmen not to take laws into their hands, be their brother’s keeper and live in peace with one another.
“Without peaceful co-existence between farmers and herdsmen, agricultural production and socio-economic development will be affected negatively.
“People should be law abiding, respect constituted authorities and not to engage in acts capable of tarnishing their image and the image of the country.”
The Emir also urged the people to be security-conscious and to report any suspicious movement of persons or groups to the appropriate authorities for necessary action.
Ahmed pledged his commitment toward peace-building programmes with direct bearing on the lives of the people.
Mr Ayuba Usman, the Chairman, Interim Management Committee of the Local Government Area, assured the council’s commitment to educate the people on the need to live in peace with one another.
Usman said those involved in the recent attacks between farmers and herdsmen would be brought to book to serve as deterrent to others.
The meeting was attended by traditional rulers and community leaders.
Recently, there were attacks and counter attacks by farmers and herdsmen in the area in which many people were killed. (NAN)
AKW/OIF/HA
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Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu