From Jude Owuamanam, Jos
Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has expressed the Federal Government’s determination to put an end to the recurring farmers/herders conflicts in Plateau State.
He regretted that despite the efforts of both the government and the security agencies to nip the clashes in the bud, some elements were still bent on fomenting troubles.
Badaru spoke in Jos with opinion leaders, traditional rulers and religious leaders from Barkin Ladi, Bokkos, Mangu and Riyom and other components of the military and security agencies responsible for peace and security at an engagement with them at auditorium of the Maxwell Khobe Cantonment, 3 Division, Nigerian Army, yesterday.
He said the Federal Government was highly disturbed that some people wanted to disrupt the current farming season.
He described the clamour for partitioning of communities according to ethno-religious alignment as a recipe for disaster.
“The Federal Government will not entertain such demands that are capable of causing division and disaffection among Nigerians. Therefore, living together is not an option but an obligation. This is evident in Mr President’s firm resolve to fight any secessionist agenda in any part of the country.
The minister said that the aim of the gathering was to interact with critical stakeholders in the state to fashion out modalities to address the latest security concerns, the increasing spate of farm destruction and cattle rustling that culminated in the recent attacks and reprisals in some parts of this state.
”My presence here today is to fulfill my mandate as the minister of defence charged with the responsibility of protection of our national territory, both from external and internal aggressions.
”Therefore, I will not relent until the Federal Government and the Ministry of Defence deploy all assets to ensure our people sleep with their eyes closed,” Badaru said.
He reiterated deep worry over resurgence of the killings, farm destruction and cattle rustling in some communities of Plateau.
”I must express my displeasure over the recurring attacks and reprisals that resulted in the loss of lives and property, especially in Jol and Sho communities of Barkin Ladi and Riyom Local Government Areas (LGAs).
“These killings kept recurring in spite of the efforts of our security agencies, especially the 3 Division of the Nigerian Army and Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), to ensure amicable settlements during any incidents involving attacks on cattle or farm destruction.
“I am particularly saddened by the stance of some unscrupulous elements in some communities, who have vowed to disrupt farming activities during the ongoing raining season, in spite of all efforts to resolve the security issues.
“The continuous recurrence of farmer-herder clashes not just in the Plateau, but across other states of the federation is quite worrisome; as nature has made it that both farmers and cattle breeders need each other to survive,” he said.
The minister, who said the security challenges in the state had lingered partly due to negligence on the part of some leaders at various levels, called on them to live up to their responsibilities. He als challenged residents to fish out all bad elements within their communities, insisting that such a move would serve as a deterrent to other criminals in the state.
Badaru, who warned against peddling fake news on the happenings, also called on the stakeholders to provide honest suggestions towards tackling insecurity in the state.
Earlier, Maj.-Gen. Abdusalam Abubakar, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 division, thanked the minister for the visit.
Abubakar maintained that the meeting would elicit conversations and meaningful suggestions that would provide lasting solutions to the lingering security challenges in the state.
The minister had on Saturday, held a similar meeting with the Deputy Governor of the state, Mrs Josephine Piyo.