Fulani cattle breeders and Tiv farmers from Benue State yesterday held a peace summit in Abuja to end the protracted conflict between them.
The summit, which was organised by the Women Environmental Programme (WEP), brought together critical stakeholders from the parties involved to fashion out new ways to address and end the age-long battle.
Speaking at the summit, the Governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam, who was represented by the permanent secretary, Internal Affairs and Social Services, Mr. Hiugah Biem, said the state government had been able to put mechanisms in place to end the conflict, but that it would take a while for the wounds to heal.
It is this, he said, that had brought the parties involved to a neutral ground so that they can talk to one another and live together in peace. He also said that the Fulani people were always welcome in the state.
Biem said: “After a conflict has been resolved, it takes a while for the healing process to take place, because during a conflict people suffer injuries, people lose property and their loved ones. Usually, the process of reconciliation is gradual; constant dialogue is still needed through assurances of security to lives and property of people on both sides. As far as Benue State is concerned the conflict is being resolved, and what we are trying to do is to achieve reconciliation and heal the wounds that were inflicted on both parties.”
Biem urged the federal government to provide grazing areas for the Fulani cattle breeders, saying that it would go a long way to solve? the rift between them and Tiv farmers,as well as other states where there have been conflicts between? Fulani cattle breeders and farmers.