The governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam, has alleged that theFulani herdsmen and their collaborators, who attack Benuecommunities, are residents of Nasarawa State.
During a peace meeting between both states held at the NasarawaState Government House, Lafia, Suawam maintained that it was obvious that the attackers were being accommodated by some communities in Nasarawa State and that the government of the state pretend not to know anything about their modes of operation.
“The truth is that we cannot pretend over these things, because the Fulani and their collaborators come from Nasarawa State and unleash attacks on Benue communities, yet we pretend that we do not see them or know anything about it,” Suswam said.
“Can over 600 people pass through a community and you claim you don’t see them?”, he questioned.
The Benue State governor warned that the people of the state were “being pushed to the wall”, and that the killings and destruction of propery must be stopped immediately.
He warned that the people of Benue State may be forced to react if there was no sincere and genuine commitment from both governments and stakeholders to arrest the trend.
Earlier, governor Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State commended the Benue State government for promptly responding to the peace meeting, noting that the present situation should not be allowed to cause disaffection in the relationship which both states have enjoyed for over 20years.
He expressed hope that the meeting would chart a way forward towards addressing the issue of security in the region and urged delegates to make genuine input that would bring the desired peace.