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Tag: boundary

  • Six killed in Ebonyi boundary dispute

    Six killed in Ebonyi boundary dispute

    The renewed boundary dispute between the people of Enyigba, Abakaliki local government area, Ebonyi state and their neighbouring Alike community, Ikwo local government area of the state has claimed six lives.
    Properties worth millions were also destroyed when armed youths from Enyigba stormed Alike shooting sporadically at villagers and setting houses ablaze.

    A source in the community said a two year old boy and five others were shot dead in the over three decades old intractable dispute.

    The source alleged that the youths stormed the Nwelem market, which is  opposite the home of the immediate past governor of the state, Chief Martin Elechi on a market day and opened fire on the people, killing  six persons.
    Policemen on duty at the nearby Alike Ikwo station, reportedly fled their duty post as they could not match the superior firepower of the youths.
    The attack forced hundreds of residents of the area to flee the community.
    The people of Enyigba belong to Izzi clan which is one of the major clans in Ebonyi state while Alike people belong to the Ikwo clan.
    Police spokesman, Loveth Odah said she was out of town when contacted for comments on the incident.
    Chief Press Secretary to Governor David Umahi, Emmanuel Uzor who confirmed the incident to reporters was however silent on the number of casualties.
    Uzor who briefed journalists in Abakaliki on the outcome of the state Executive council meeting, said the state government has directed Secretary to the State Government, Professor Bernard Odoh  to set up a 9-
    man committee to look into and resolve the crisis within seven days.

    Umahi  directed all the warring communities to cease hostilities with immediate effect and directed security agencies to arrest anybody fomenting trouble in any of the communities immediately.

    The state government according to Mr Uzor, also directed local councils to make bye-laws to prohibit the sale or lease of land for the purposes of cattle grazing, ranching, animal movement exploration/prospecting, among others without first obtaining permission from the Council Chairman who in turn must obtain authorization power from the Governor of the State.

    The Chief Press Secretary said failure to obtain such permissions before selling or leasing such lands  will attract severe punishment.
    The state Executive Council also frowned at encroachment of state government lands and banned building of hotels, schools, hospitals and others service buildings without permission from government.

    “Anybody who encroaches into the land acquired by the state government for purposes of development shall be committed to prison and such lands shall remain irrevocable.

    “Executive Council also directed that from henceforth, building of hotels, private schools, community sponsored schools, restaurants, hospitals, pharmacies and filling stations without EXCO approval are highly
    prohibited.

    “All private schools in Ebonyi state must be reviewed and approved by the Ministry of Education, and all such schools not approved by the ministry must be closed down within one week from the date of this
    briefing”, he said.

  • ‘Don’t take boundary matters personal’

    The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Jide Ojuko, has urged chairmen of local governments and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in Ogun State not to take matters on boundary adjustment personal but to allow the law take its course.

    Ojuko spoke yesterday when he visited Sagamu South LCDA and Remo North East LCDA.

    The commissioner said the state government was committed to resolving boundary disputes amicably.

    He said this a committee, headed by Deputy Governor Mrs Yetunde Onanuga, was set up to look into boundary-related issues, with a view to providing lasting solution.

    Ojuko said: “My appeal to all local government areas, their chairmen in particular, communities and associations, is that they should not turn the issue of boundaries between local government areas and LCDAs into personal matters. Our government is responsible enough to sort all boundary matters.”

    Emphasising on the need to follow due process and carry the ministry along when executing any project, Ojuko advised the councils not to embark on white elephant projects but always weigh the benefits and impact of any project before starting it.

  • Boundary commission to end Ebonyi, Benue disputes

    Incessant and sometimes fatal boundary clashes between Ebonyi and Benue states may soon come to an end as the National Boundary Commission (NBC) has waded in.

    The commission said it would soon delineate the boundaries of both states in such a way as to prevent any more disputes.

    It also expressed concerns over the wanton destruction of life and property in communities along the disputed border.

    The Director-General of the Commission, Dr. Mohammed Ahmed stated this during a joint enlightenment campaign of communities along the Benue/Ebonyi interstate boundary in Ohaukwu and Ebonyi Local Government Areas of the state.

    The DG who thanked representatives of both Ebonyi/Benue state governments for accepting to follow the path of peace towards the resolution of the boundary disputes existing between them, observed that the lingering disputes were consequent upon the inordinate ambition of some members of the affected communities to amass lands without recourse to instituted laws and authorities.

    According to him, after the necessary stages of the joint enlightenment campaigns by the affected states and setting up of Peace Committees by the local government areas, the affected lands would be demarcated by the Commission for a permanent resolution of crisis in the areas.

    He further appealed to politicians, government appointees, clerics, traditional rulers, youths and indigenes of both states to preach and live in peace even as he emphasised the sacredness of the human life.

    In their separate remarks, the Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, Dr. Eric Igwe represented by the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Rt. Hon. Augustine Nwankwegu and his counterpart from Benue state, Engr. Benson Abounu represented by the Special Adviser, SA on Lands, Prof Jonathan Uever expressed optimism in the peace process led by the NBC and urged the affected communities to maintain peace and order for the interest of all and sundry.

    They expressed hope that the demarcation of the affected boundary line would foster and restore bilateral relations, trade and marriages and goodwill that had once existed between both states.

    All those who spoke during the exercise including traditional rulers, LG chairmen, youth leaders of both sides among others sued for peace and peaceful resolution of the intricacies involved in the disputed lands.

    The affected local councils in Ebonyi State are Ebonyi and Ohaukwu while that of Benue State are Ado and Oju local government areas.

  • Abia, Ebonyi agree to end boundary dispute

    The governments of Abia and Ebonyi states have resolved to find a permanent solution to the border disputes between the two neighbouring states.

    The deputy governors of the two states committed their respective governments to end the dispute with a final demarcation of the 70km-long interstate boundary, involving four and two local governments in Abia and Ebonyi states respectively.

    The council areas in Abia State involved in the dispute are Umunneochi; Isuikwuato; Bende and Ohafia, while Ivo and Afikpo South local government areas are in Ebonyi State.

    More than six violent clashes have taken place at different points along the boundary since 1987, a situation which necessitated the peace meeting between leaders of the two states.

    Speaking at a joint meeting of Abia/Ebonyi Interstate Boundary convened at Umuahia by the National Boundary Commission (NBC), Abia State Deputy Governor, Rt Hon Ude Oko-Chukwu, noted that the state has boundary disputes of varying degrees with all neighbouring states.

    Oko-Chukwu said that Abia State was ready and willing to ensure that the boundary dispute with its neighbours is resolved completely, adding, “We want our people to live in peace and harmony with our neighbours in Ebonyi State”.

    He said that while some of the boundary disputes had received attention, some remain unresolved, adding that the Abia/Ebonyi boundary “is among those that have not been attended to along the entire stretch of the boundary”.

    Speaking further, the Abia deputy governor said, “The disputes are actually land disputes which were converted to interstate boundary disputes because they now exist across the border of the two states. The primary causes of the disputes are the unguarded desire to acquire more land for farming and to own quarry sites.”

    Ebonyi Deputy Governor, Chief Kelechi Igwe, agreed with his Abia counterpart on the need for peace to reign in the border communities, saying that Ebonyi had already declared its readiness for peace and proper delineation of the disputed boundary.

    Igwe identified eight points along the Abia/Ebonyi boundary where disagreements still exist. He said he expected the spokesmen for the communities involved in the dispute to provide the information that will assist in arriving at strategies that will help in the demarcation of the boundary.

    Also speaking, the Director-General of NBC, Dr Muhammad B. Ahmad, said that the commission had over the years taken different actions on interstate boundaries involving Abia State.

    He, however, noted with regret that progress on each of the interstate boundaries is not commensurate with the efforts and inputs made by the commission.

    Dr Ahmad said that the Abia/Ebonyi interstate boundary could be described as a boundary between brothers who co-existed as people of the old Abia State before the creation of Ebonyi State in 1996.

  • ‘Ebonyi committed to resolving boundary disputes’

    When Ebonyi State was created; communities at its borders became enmeshed in crises with neighbouring communities in Cross River, Benue; Enugu and Abia states.

    The inter-state disputes over land were as a result of poor delineation of the boundaries at the time of its creation.

    Many lives have been lost and properties worth millions of Naira destroyed to the intermittent crises, especially at the Amagu–Ikwo Local Government Area, Ebonyi/Adadama-Abi Local Government Area of Cross River axis and the Ngbo Ohaukwu Local Government Area/Agila Local Government Area axis.

    Speaking at a meeting with a delegation from the National Boundary Commission, (NBC) and the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation led by NBC boss, Dr. M.B. Ahmad in Abakaliki, Governor Martin Elechi expressed worry over the negative perception of the state as a result of the boundary disputes between it and the neighbouring states.

    He stated that the intractable boundary disputes between Ebonyi and other neighbouring states have given the outside world the impression that people of Ebonyi State are difficult to deal with even when the reverse was the case.

    He, however, noted that the world over, boundary disputes have remained intractable problems, maintaining that theirs would not be an exception, even as he urged the people not to regard it as a problem beyond solution.

    “I have been involved in settling boundary disputes in different levels and I know that it is intractable problem. But we have been able to manage some cases. Ebonyi State appears to be an unfortunate state in that from all fronts, it is being faced by the same phenomenon which gives the impression that we are difficult people, uniquely difficult. But that is not the case. As you can affirm on the cause of your interaction and investigation, we are not as bad or as hostile as the picture is being painted.”

    Determined to end the bloodshed once and for all, Governor Elechi reconstituted the state boundary committee headed by his Deputy, Mr. Dave Umahi.

    Governor Elechi also reached out to the governors of these states and convinced them to do same so as to engender an accelerated discussion and actions that will lead to the settlement of the disputes.

    To support his seriousness in amicably resolving the disputes, Elechi recently played host to a contingent from Cross River State led by Governor Liyel Imoke in Abakaliki where far-reaching decisions on how to solve problem were taken.

    The states, at the end, agreed to set up a 26-man joint committee to proffer lasting solution to the crises.

    The meeting, which, for the first time was attended by governors of the two states, mandated the committee to submit its report to the governors on November 30, this year. The committee is to be jointly headed by the Deputy Governors of both states.

    The Deputy Governors immediately swung into action and held another meeting in Calabar during which they constituted an 84-man “Joint Governors’ committee to resolve the protracted boundary dispute existing between both states.

    The committee’s terms of reference include determination of the immediate and remote causes of the boundary dispute.

    The committee held its maiden meeting in Calabar under the leadership of Deputy Governors of both states, Dave Umahi (Ebonyi) and Mr. Efiok Cobham (Calabar) respectively.

    It is also to determine the factors responsible for the failure of previous peace initiatives in the affected states and propose a lasting solution to the disputes.

    Also, the committee is expected to set up conflict resolution mechanisms for the communities in each sector with a view to maintaining peaceful co-existence.

    The committee is to submit detailed report and recommendations to the Governors of both states on or before November 30, this year.

    In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting which was signed by the Deputy Governors and their Attorneys-General of both states, the committee appreciated the prevailing peace between the communities in recent times.

    The communiqué urged the borderline communities to continue to live in harmony as the creation of states was not intended to divide brothers and sisters.

    At the end of the meeting, Umahi told reporters that peace was paramount to both states and could not be compromised.

    “I implore the committee to fuse together as a common body in relationship and understanding in the discharge of its function.

    “The positive outcome of their deliberations would bring about peace and harmony not only to the bordering communities but also would enable the states to forge ahead in growth and development,” Umahi said.

    He further emphasised the need for members to bury their differences and work towards discharging their onerous assignment creditably.

    On his part, Cobham hinted that the demeanor exhibited at the meeting was a sign that both states were now fully disposed to peace.

    According to him, the boundary dispute had impeded on the cordial relationship between border communities of both states.

    “The time has come to resolve this issue so that our states and the border communities would live as brothers and sisters,” he said.

    Umahi and members of the state boundary commission also held another joint boundary meeting with his Abia State counterpart in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital.

    At the end of the meeting, they sued for maintenance of the existing peace among communities along the disputed 75km stretch of land.

    The meeting was organised in order to resuscitate necessary actions towards fast-tracking the delineation of the boundary between the two states.

    In attendance at the meeting were the Director-General of NBC, Dr. M.B. Ahmad, delegations of both states led by Deputy Governors of both states, Sir Emeka Ananaba (Abia) and Dave Umahi (Ebonyi) and the Director Boundaries, M.O. Arowolo who stood in for Surveyor-General of the Federation.

    The two states, in a communiqué at the end of the meeting signed by the Deputy Governors of the two states and Director- General of NBC, directed that “the major stakeholders should encourage good neighbourliness through proper information dissemination.

    “The existing peace along the boundary should be sustained through the joint utilisation of the border resources of both states by the border communities.

    “The two states shall search for the relevant delineation documents describing/defining the Abia/Ebonyi inter-state boundary; “Four copies of the relevant delineation documents should be submitted to the National Boundary Commission on or before September 30, this year and shall be screened on October 9 and 10 this year at the headquarters of the NBC in Abuja;

    “The composition of the screening and authentication committee and the Joint Field Team as constituted at the Abakaliki meeting of 20th October 20, this year  still stands;

    “The Joint Field Team shall be inaugurated on 17th November 17 this year at Nkwoagu in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State and the fieldwork shall commence at Uru-Lokpanta and shall be completed on or before December 18, this year.

    “The existing co-operation between the two state governments and their various border communities be encouraged by the traditional rulers and the local government officials of both states;

    “The chairmen of border LGAs of the two states should adopt appropriate strategies to synergise their efforts in peace-building;

    “Adequate security shall be provided for the Joint Field Team during the field exercise by both states;

    “The Federal Government and the two states governments shall provide funds, four wheel drive vehicles and necessary logistics support to their representatives in the various field exercise;

    “The two state governments, chairmen of the affected LGAs and traditional rulers shall carry out joint enlightenment campaigns in the affected areas prior to and during the period of the field exercise and beyond; “And the status quo shall be maintained until the boundary is properly defined and demarcated.”

    Similar meetings and agreements have also been held with governments of Benue and Enugu states where far-reaching agreements have been reached on the way forward. If the word of the Deputy Governor is anything to go by, then the crisis on all fronts may soon be a thing of the past.

    He said: “The Governor’s title is Ochudo, meaning one who keeps the peace and he has made it clear that he wants to leave the state more peaceful than he met it.  That is why we are working round the clock to ensure that there is lasting peace in the border communities. I assure you that we shall succeed by the grace of God.”

    The Deputy Governor said unlike reconciliation efforts in the past which yielded no results, the states are currently determined to resolve the boundary disputes once and for all.

  • Okorocha praised for security

    Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has been praised for providing adequate security for the people.

    Imo citizens and visitors from other states praised him at the headquarters of Lifeline Assembly, Ohii, Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State when his deputy, Prince Eze Madumere reminded the congregation that during the former administration, people’s freedom was constantly trampled upon through intimidation, crime and other anti-social activities that nearly brought the state to its knees.

    Speaking during the church convention whose theme was “Divine Restoration,” he said God answered the prayers of Imo people through Governor Okorocha who he described as God-send.

    He also told the congregation that relationship between Governor Okorocha and Bishop Maxwell Korie has remained cordial, even as he regretted the seeming misgivings that existed between them due to wrong inferences coming from quarters that do not cherish peace.

    Continuing, he narrated the proposed government demolition of the former Lifeline Assembly Church, which was located at the Ware House Roundabout and the church’s opposition to it. He thanked God that the matter was amicably resolved, noting that the reason for government’s decision could be better appreciated as issue of what used to be an eternal traffic challenges has been solved with roundabout and exit route for motorists.

    He averred that ever since, Lifeline Assembly has remained his church as he is committed to its growth and will be ready to render any form of assistance towards its growth, especially when it has to do with salvation and changing our people’s life for the better.

    There was, however, uproar when former governor Ikedi Ohakim and his entourage came to the church with over 10 buses as though they were going for campaign. It was later discovered that they were there to oppose what the opposition was to say.

    While Prince Madumere was speaking on free education and its gains, some of them that had found their way into the church shouted no, even though they were cautioned to behave responsibly by Bishop Korie.

    One of the church members who spoke in confidence decried desperation on the part of some politicians coming to the house of God to behave irresponsibly.

    Earlier before the introduction of Madumere, Bishop Korie said his humility and loyalty were infectious, saying such character is rare in our clime.

    He also described Madumere as a man of peace who came at the time he was needed.

     

  • Boundary dispute: We won’t cede any part of Edo to Delta -Oshiomhole

    Edo state government has vowed not to surrender any part of its territory to neighbouring states.

    The state governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Pius Egberanmwen Odubu made the declaration at Orogho Community in Orhionmwon Local Government Area following the recent skirmishes between the community and Seplat Oil Company where over six persons were shot.

    Odubu who was in the company of the Chairman of Orhionmwon Local Government Council, Chief Roland Ibierutomwen and other government functionaries was received at the palace of Orogho H.R.H. Patrick Akenzua.

    While addressing members of the community, Odubu said boundary matter is being handled by the state government even as he appealed to the youths of the eschew violence, assuring that the conflict would finally be laid to rest.

    He also urged the security officers at Seplat Oil Company to exercise maximum restraint and minimise force in handling conflict situation, stressing that the right to freedom of association and free speech is constitutionally guaranteed.

    However, Commander, 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Okwudili Fidelis Azinta and Commander, 19 Battalion, Lt. Col. F.S Etin, said nobody was shot during the fracas.

  • ‘How to stop trans boundary animal diseases’

    A consultant to the World Bank, Prof  Abel Ogunwale has  urged the Federal  Government  to be vigilant in the face of  trans boundary  animal   diseases that  can  affect  livestock and human  beings.

    Ogunwale, a lecturer in Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University, said the  best way to protect animals against these diseases is to improve border checks and strengthen biosecurity on farms.

    He stressed the need to provide  significant support to enhance capacities of animal  health  authorities to play a significant role in making the country better prepared against the threat of transboundary animal diseases.

    These include high impact infectious diseases, including foot and mouth disease and avian influenza, such as H5N1 and H7N9 that can spread easily across national boundaries.

    He said the mechanism and structure, the governance of animal health systems should   be improved to  provide  the most effective response to address livestock diseases.

    As the threat of animal diseases is evolving, driven by various factors, Ogunwale said the situation requires continued vigilance and more work to give the capability to prevent and respond appropriately to them.

    While urging vigorous control measures, temporary closure and disinfection of animals markets and other rapid response interventions, Ogunwale noted that it was imperative to carry out and maintain targeted surveillance in animal populations to understand where and how widespread out breaks are.

    He stressed that it was important to understand risk factors, identify the animal source of diseases, geographical extent and the characteristics of animal diseases.

    According to him, good biosecurity and hygiene measures implemented by farmers, livestock producers, transporters, market workers and consumers represent the first and most effective way to protect the food chain and human health as well as livelihoods.

    Underscoring  the importance of continuing surveillance and strong biosecurity to protect animal and human health, livelihoods and consumer confidence, Ogunwale called    for  surveillance infrastructure and capacities for the early detection and identification of diseases.

  • Neighbours at daggers-drawn over boundary

    Neighbours at daggers-drawn over boundary

    Chris Oji

    A breakdown of law and order looms in two communities in Enugu State, except the state government urgently intervenes.

    On March 13, Ikem and Neke communities in Isi-Uzo Local Government Area engaged each other in a clash over a disputed boundary at Ugwu Okwunene.

    Machetes were freely used and eight people sustained injuries on both sides. A house was also torched and two members of Ikem community were reportedly abducted but later rescued.

    Different degrees of machete wounds were inflicted on members of the communities. One of them, Vitalis Agbo, from Ikem, lost a thumb.

    After the conflict, each community took their victims to different hospitals in Enugu where they received treatment, though one Godwin Odo from Neke was said to have died four days later. His death, though, was allegedly attributed to complications of a terminal ailment he was said to be suffering before the machete injury.

    Following his death, however, four members of the community, namely, Lousia Odo, 60, Alpheus Ushi, 38, Okwudili Nnamani, 40, and Lazarus Eze Idoko, 49, were arrested by the police and detained for six weeks. There was mounted pressure on the police from government and human rights activists to release the arrested persons, but the police did not yield. They were said to have swiftly conducted an autopsy on the dead person and arraigned the detainees on May 14, 2014 at the Enugu Magistrate Court 5 presided over by Mrs. I. S. Oruruo.

    The autopsy report was declared missing in the three files submitted to the court by the police that conducted the autopsy.

    The Enugu police spokesman, Ebere Amarizu, however, contradicted that claim on the eve of the arraignment of the accused persons.  He confirmed that the post mortem of the deceased was ready and that it was one of the reasons for the arraignment.

    It was also learnt that the complainants from Neke community failed to show up during police investigation at the scene of the clash. There was also a contradiction on the charge sheet in which the scene was referred to as Akpani Neke whereas it actually took place on the ground ceded to Ikem by the state boundary committee led by the Deputy Governor of the state, Sunday Onyebuchi.

    The magistrate court had, however, referred the charge of arson and murder to the office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) while the suspects were remanded in Enugu Prison pending the transfer of the case to a high court that will hear the matter.

    Two months after the incarceration of the four accused persons, Deputy Governor Onyebuchi, who is the Chairman of Enugu State boundary committee, was said to have mediated in the matter where he was said to have frowned at the action of Neke community which refused to vacate the Ikem land three years after his committee demarcated it.

    The deputy governor was said to have ordered the chairman of Isi-Uzo Local Government, Mr. Augustine Nnamani, to immediately secure the release of the four incarcerated Ikem people before they were charged to court but that was not done until they were committed to Awaiting Trial in the prison custody.

    The traditional ruler of Ikem community, Igwe Francis Okwor spoke with reporters on the issue, pleading with Governor Sullivan Chime to intervene in the dispute. The monarch said that Governor Chime’s intervention was urgently needed in order to prevent further bloodshed between the twom communities.

    Igwe Okwor said that Chime should do everything within his power to see that peace returned to the neighbouring communities and accused the chairman of Isi-Uzo local government, Augustine Nnamani of fuelling the boundary dispute by instigating his people to go to court even though the disagreement had been resolved by the boundary committee years ago.

    Hon. Nnamani denied any involvement in the crisis, saying he was being framed up.

    The royal father traced the land dispute between the two communities to 1952 when according to him, Neke community encroached on their land and Ikem sought a demarcation. The Uzo-Agu Association, an umbrella organisation of the five communities of Isi-Uzo Local Government Area insisted that the land should not be demarcated among brothers and Ikem people agreed with a proviso that Neke people should not go beyond Ngene Ikwe, a stream.

    The two communities, the traditional ruler explained, continued to live like brothers without official demarcation until 1976 when a secondary school was built in Ikem known as Ikem Secondary School, Ikem. He said the people of Neke recently rose up and said the school should no longer be called Ikem Secondary School but Ikem-Neke Secondary School.

    To this, the people of Ikem reluctantly agreed to avoid bloodshed and would have left it at that had not some Neke people started building on the land adjacent to the school premises, claiming that the school is not the boundary.

    Igwe Okwor also explained that due to the continued encroachment and the erecting of buildings on Ikem land adjacent to the school premises, some people in Ikem rose up to defend their land and were attacked by Neke people.

    “As if that was not enough, during the fracas that ensued, one Neke man died and Neke people claimed that it was Ikem people that killed him and thus four people were held in police detention for more than four months,” Igwe Okwor claimed. He wondered why it was Neke people that took them to court instead of Ikem taking Neke to court.

    He said: “Five of our people were taken to the hospital because of machete cut injury inflicted on them by Neke people.  Luckily, none of them died but one Neke man died and they said it was Ikem people that killed the man and for this reason, they are charging them for murder.”

    Igwe Okwor said that the state government asked the council chairman, Hon. Augustine Nnamani to build a concrete beacon around the Ugwu Okwunene to stop the encroachment by  Neke to the school premises which he has not done up till this day.

    In the same manner, Ikem youths have also called on Governor Chime to secure the release of  ”innocent detainees” of the communal clash. The youths expressed dismay that after the deputy Governor of the state, Sunday Onyebuchi, who also is the chairman of state boundary

    adjustment committee, had ordered the Chairman of Isi-Uzo local government council to release the detainees; nothing was done about it.

  • Plateau, Kaduna councils unite against boundary hill attacks

    Worried by constant attacks on the hills along the boundaries between Plateau and Kaduna states, community leaders in Riyom and Kaura Local Government Areas of both states have begun a partnership to tackle the menace.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the attacks, believed to be carried out by herdsmen, have led to several deaths, destruction of property and torching of several homes in Attakar villages.

    “The partnership with our Plateau neighbours became imperative because the Fulani and other herdsmen in Kaura have said the attackers usually come from Riyom,” Mr Kumai Badu, the Chairman, Kaura Local Government, told NAN yesterday.

    The council chief spoke after a meeting with his Riyom counterpart.

    He said: “The situation gets worse after every attack. So, we must put our heads together to collectively plan an effective end to the problem.”

    Badu, who named the worst hit areas as Zangang, Zilan and Mafang, blamed the violence on “a little misunderstanding on the hill, between farmers and Fulani herdsmen”.

    The council chairman said authorities and communities of both local governments must work together because the victims alleged that their attackers live in Ganawuri, Riyom Local Government, and usually ran back there after hitting them.

    Badu added: “Once we can cooperate, we shall uncover the hideouts of the attackers. This is a good step towards ending the violence.”