The Nation Newspaper

Tag: herdsmen

  • Umahi moves to reconcile farmers, herdsmen

    Umahi moves to reconcile farmers, herdsmen

    Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi state Saturday moved against intermittent clashes between farmers in the state and Fulani herdsmen while insisting that no part of the state would be given for the purpose of cattle colony.

    In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Emmanuel Uzor, the Governor initiated measures on how to maintain peace between farmers and herdsmen across the State by fully engaging the traditional rulers and leaders of Miyeti Allah in the area of sustaining the peace among the two groups.

    Uzor said the governor while addressing traditional rulers,  presidents of town union and other stakeholders at the Akanu Ibiam International Conference Centre,  Abakaliki used the occasion to reiterate his administration’s resolve to sustaining peace in all parts of the state which he believes is a panecea to achieving development.

    “Part of the statement read “the traditional rulers are not just custodians of culture and tradition but also part of peace building. They must ensure peace in their localities by first of all identifying the people living in their communities especially the herdsmen. No herdsman is allowed to graze their cattle in our lands and in an event of that,  the herdsmen pay the double value of crops damaged and  on repeat of such,  the herdsmen will be forced to leave the community.”

    “The cows are dear to the herdsmen same way the crops are dear to the our  farmers most especially our belief in sanctity of human life which has been wasted on some areas in the country”

    Umahi also made it clear that Ebonyi  State Government has no resources to embark on any ranching or Colony being an aggrerian state whose main stead is agriculture.

    “To ensure security and safety of our people and herdsmen who have lived peacefully with us all these years without problem and to ensure there is no infliteration of killer herdsmen from neighboring states and countries, traditional rulers are  to collate data on herdsmen operating in their communities across the state for easy identification and maintenance of peace. The data should  include herdsmen’s names,  location  and contact phone numbers of their leaders.”

    “Traditional rulers should hold constant meetings with the herdsmen so that they can Identify those from Niger Republic and other areas that foment trouble”

    The Governor further maintained that Ebonyi State being an aggrerian state with agriculture as its main stead,  the state will not welcome any cattle colony of any sort but shall in constant collaboration with relevant stakeholders and leaders of the herdsmen, renew efforts to maintain peace and security.

    “Governor Umahi is a member of the Presidential Committe headed by the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo to reconcile and ensure peace between the farmers and herdsmen across the country and he is doing everything within the armbit of the law to ensure peace in his own state as charity begins at home”

  • Umahi orders monarchs to compile data on herdsmen

    Umahi orders monarchs to compile data on herdsmen

    EBONYI State governor, David Umahi, has directed traditional rulers to collate data on herdsmen operating in the state for easy identification and maintenance of peace. This is as the Ohanaeze Youth Council Worldwide has called on South East governors to ban consumption of beef in the region as security measure to stop “the armed militias masquerading as Fulani herdsman, from getting access to South East. We want them to encourage alternatives to motivate igbo farmers to produce local cattle breeds for consumption. This measure will discourage the Fulani herdsmen from entering South east.” The OYC President, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, in a statement, said: “We will not allow some igbo leaders to cause problem in Igboland using 2019 election. There will be Great Igbo Youth Declaration at Enugu very soon.

    This will offer a fresh pathway for Igbo youths to emancipate themselves economically and politically. We will openly canvass support for youth participations in 2019 elections, and economic roadmap. The Oyc will continue to support Gov Ikpeazu, Gov Ugwuanyi and Gov Umahi for their giant strides in Abia, Enugu and Ebonyi, They deserve to be re elected in 2019. We applaud their Unity to move South East forward.” Umahi, who gave the order on Friday in Abakaiki at a meeting with traditional rulers and miners in the state, noted that the data should include herdsmen’s names, location and contact phone numbers of their leaders.

    The governor remarked that the decision was reached after series of meetings with security agencies, various committees and representatives of herdsmen in the state. “Traditional rulers should hold constant meetings with the herdsmen so that they can identify those from Niger Republic and other areas that foment trouble. “We have been living in peace with the herdsmen for several years but still maintain that there would not be movement of cattle from one area to another in the state.” He urged the traditional rulers and other concerned authorities to agree on grazing locations with the herdsmen where they would be restricted for their grazing activities. “I will provide amenities such as water in such locations because the state government does not have the resources for ranching. “When the grasses in such areas finish, you should arrange for another location for grazing because we would not tolerate cattle eating or destroying crops on our farmlands. “Trouble is inevitable but we can handle them maturely through the various committees on herdsmen in the villages, communities and state levels,” he said.

  • Herdsmen arrested after exchanging fire with soldiers

    Herdsmen arrested after exchanging fire with soldiers

    Two herdsmen were yesterday arrested in Benue State after they exchanged fire with troops 707 Special Forces Brigade troops on a routine patrol along Gbajimba – Iyiodeh road in Guma Local Government Area.

    They were arrested close to a fish farm owned by Governor Samuel Ortom.

    The spokesman of 707 Special Forces Brigade Makurdi, Major Olabisi Ayeni, said the suspects were planning a dangerous mission but were sighted by the roops on patrol.

    According to Major Ayeni the  militia who were suspected to be converging, possibly for an attack on Ortom’s farm and other citizens’, were about to be approached for questioning when they opened fire on the troops as they made to run away but were engaged and two of them arrested.

    Major Ayeni said the two herdsmen were handed over to the police.

    Also yesterday, the police arraigned an 18-year-old herder, Abu Shagari, in a Makurdi Magistrates’ Court, for alleged open grazing.

    The prosecutor, Sgt. Abdulkarim Abubakar, told the court that the accused person was arrested by a team of vigilance group, led by Gwaza Jacob.

    He said the accused person was subsequently handed over to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) in Makurdi on January 21.

    Abubakar said the team was on patrol on Adaka Road in Makurdi metropolis, when they saw the accused person taking his cattle to openly graze on the field.

    He said the accused person hailed from Shabu village in Nasarawa State.

    The prosecutor averred that other herders in company of the accused person were at large.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the accused person pleaded guilty to the charges.

    The prosecutor prayed the court to enter a summary judgment on the accused person, based on his guilty plea in line with Section 157 of the CPC.

    However, My Jijani Ahmed, counsel to the accused person, had urged the court to reverse the plea of guilty to not guilty in the interest of justice.

    He said his client must be given the opportunity to defend himself and for the prosecution to prove their case beyond reasonable doubt before a judgment could be entered.

    The Magistrate, Mr Emmanuel Azembe, held that the accused person must give full explanation of his plea and the consequences that followed it.

    He asked Shagari to show cause why the court should not convict him on the grounds of his plea.

    The magistrate, however, extended a life line to the accused person by asking if he could change his plea to “not guilty’’.

  • Air Force joins battle against herdsmen

    Air Force joins battle against herdsmen

    The Air Force will join the military operations against killer-herdsmen and militia in Benue, Taraba and Nasarawa, Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar said yesterday.

    He said the intervention of the NAF would be through the establishment of Forward Operational Base (FOB) in Taraba state and Quick Response Wing along Benue and Nasarawa axis.

    A statement signed by Director of Public Relations and Information of the NAF, Air Vice Marshal Olatokunbo Adesanya, said the Air Chief said the developments were part of an elaborate efforts to address the security challenges.

    The statement reads: “Air Marshal Abubakar also spoke on the current and likely threats as well as contingencies from the perspective of air operations. Some of the initiatives included but are not limited to the establishment of new commands and some units, improvement in human capacity development, improved aircraft serviceability and logistics support as well as enhanced personnel welfare.”

  • Herdsmen/farmers ‘clash: Edo bans night-grazing

    Herdsmen/farmers ‘clash: Edo bans night-grazing

    Edo State Government has banned night grazing, the carrying of guns by herdsmen and has set up a seven-man committee in each of the 18 Local Government Areas in the state to check clashes between herdsmen and farmers.

    The seven-man committee will include the chairmen or heads of the LGAs, the Divisional Police Officers (DPOs), representatives of State Security Service and four representatives from the communities in the state.

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, who presided over a stakeholders’ meeting with the Serikis Hausa/Fulani from the 18 LGAs in the state, charged the committee to “review all cases of herdsmen/farmer clashes in all the local government areas.”

    He said the State Government would release the report of clashes between herdsmen and farmers in the state to the committees for review.

    He explained: “The committees will ensure the registration of all the Seriki’s Fulani in every community across all the local government areas and the Seriki Fulani will liaise with everyone rearing cattle in the area.”

    According to the governor, there will be another committee that will be headed by him (the governor) and members of the committee will include the State Commissioner of Police, the Director of the State Security Service in the state, the Commander of 4 Brigade with other members drawn from the communities across the three senatorial districts in the state.

    Obaseki noted, “Every three months we will meet with representatives of the local government committees to review and examine the progress being made in resolving the herdsmen/farmers’ clashes in the state.”

    He added: “A special team made up of the Police, Army, Civil Defence Corps and other security agencies in the state will carry out random patrols and search operations. Any herdsman found possessing firearms will be arrested and charged with illegal possession of firearms as cattle rearers do not need an AK 47 to herd cattle.

    “We will not accept anyone with firearms and anyone found with arms will face the law. We need information to succeed in this fight and information is vital to the police and other security agencies. We assure you of your safety.

    “We have placed a ban on night herding; nobody should herd their cattle at night. We have also placed a ban on hunting activities by people from other states in the name of hunting.”

    Chairman, Edo State Hausa Community, Alhaji Badamasi Saleh, requested that “Mechanism should be put in place to protect the sources of security information as most members of the communities find it difficult to volunteer information to the security agencies as they fear that their identities would not be protected.”

    Alhaji Usman Abdullahi, representing the Hausa/Fulani community in Edo Central Senatorial District, pledged that “The Hausa/Fulani communities are ready to cooperate with the state government and work with the security agencies in the state to fish out any member of their communities who engages in criminal activities.”

    Alhaji Abdulkareem Ibraheem, representing the Hausa/Fulani communities in Edo South, urged the state government to provide the necessary logistics that will aid the task of the monitoring committees in the various local government areas.

    Commissioner of Police Edo State Command, Johnson Kokumo, thanked members of the Hausa/Fulani community for finding the time to attend the meeting and assured that with their support, the clash between Herdsmen and farmers will be checked.

     

     

  • Army: Operation Cat Race to fight herdsmen attacks

    Army: Operation Cat Race to fight herdsmen attacks

    Troops are to go after killer-herdsmen and the militia behind the killings in Benue, Taraba, Niger and Kaduna states, the army said yesterday.

    President Muhammadu Buhari warned in Nasarawa on Tuesday that attacks by “herdsmen” and other bandits would no longer be tolerated.

    The Army said it would begin a special exercise tagged:  ”Operation Cat Race”, which in Tiv language means “Ayem Akpatuma’’ to tackle the recurring herdsmen/farmers clashes and criminal activities in the states.

    Troops will be deployed in the four states from next week. The exercise is billed for February 15 – March 31.

    Chief of Training and Operations, Army Headquarters, Major General David Ahmadu, who represented Chief of Army Staff Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, said the exercise would be targeted at killer-herdsmen, cattle rustlers, armed bandits, kidnappers, armed militias and other criminal elements.

    He listed other security agencies that will participate in the exercise as the Department of States Services (DSS), the police, the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other Security institutions.

    Gen. Ahmadu said the exercise would cover the 1 and 3 Divisions representing the Northwest and North central geopolitical zones. The Guards Brigade, 707 Special Forces Brigade, and the Headquarters Army Command will also be involved.

    He said it would also aid civil authority to address those challenges.

    “More so, Exercise Ayem Akpatuma has become more expedient due to upsurge in cases of armed banditry, kidnapping and cattle rustling in Kaduna and Niger states as well as other sundry crimes in Kogi State and herdsmen/farmers clashes and attacks on innocent members of our communities, particularly in Benue, Taraba and Nasarawa states by armed militias.

    •Some Tiv resident in Nasarawa State fleeing to Benue State following attacks by suspected Fulani militia. PHOTO: UJA EMMANUEL
    Some Tiv resident in Nasarawa State fleeing to Benue State following attacks by suspected Fulani militia. PHOTO: UJA EMMANUEL

    “These security challenges have continued unabated in these states, despite the efforts by sister security agencies to curb them.

    “The need for troops to be exercised, refreshed and to imbibe the requisite skills to cope with these emerging security challenges within the 1 and 3Divisions, including Headquarters, Army Records, Guards Brigade and 707 Special Forces Brigade Areas of Responsibility in aid of civil authority, calls for this exercise,’’ Gen. Ahmadu said.

    According to him, it will also afford troops the opportunity to effectively checkmate the dreadful activities of the marauding criminal militias perpetrating criminal acts in those states and their environs.

    He said that the exercise was “conceptualised to dovetail into real time operations, thereby fulfilling both training and operations objectives of sharpening operational skills of personnel.

    “It will also provide an avenue to conduct operations against violent criminals when called upon,’’ he said.

    The chief of Training said that the exercise would be unique as “Step-Up Brigade Headquarters’’ would be established in Benue, Taraba, Kogi, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Niger sStates.

    “Emphasis will be placed on raids, cordon-and-search operations, anti-kidnapping drills, road blocks, check points and show of force, as well as humanitarian activities, such as medical outreach,’’ he added.

    Ahmadu called on members of the public in the affected states not to panic as their security, safety and well being had been “deliberately factored in to the planning of the exercise’’.

    He also assured that troops taking part in the exercise would be guided by the professional “Code of Conduct, Rules of Engagement and the respect for human rights’’.

    He said that in case of complaints, the public could call the “Nigerian Army Short Code Information and Call Centre 193’’.

  • Police debunk alleged herdsmen attack on expressway

    The Lagos State Police Command has debunked audio messages, pictures and messages on the social media platforms about herdsmen attacking people along Lagos-Ibadan expressway.

    Its spokesman, Chike Oti, a Superintendent (SP), in a statement yesterday, described the posts as “false, baseless and a calculated attempt to destroy the peaceful co-existence among different tribes in the state as nothing of such happened along that axis.

    “The Commissioner of Police, Imohimi Edgal warns those who uses the social media space to spread rumours capable of breaching the peace and harmonious existence in the state, to desist from such act or be prepared to face the consequences of their actions.”

    He urged the public to ignore the rumour as they are generated by mischievous elements, who have the intention of disturbing the peace in the state.

  • Primate Okoh urges decisive action on herdsmen menace

    Primate Okoh urges decisive action on herdsmen menace

    Primate, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Rev Nicholas Okoh yesterday urged President Muhammadu Buhari to take a decisive, swift and pragmatic steps in stopping the killings by the herdsmen in parts of the country”.

    Primate Okoh also urged the administration to disarm “these murderous herdsmen.”

    The clergyman spoke in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital, in an address to the standing committee of the church.

    The primate urged the government not to allow the herdsmen’s menace to “degenerate any further in the interest of all, and the Nigerian nation.”

    He noted that the federal government had in the times past dealt with different groups that threatened the peace of the country.

    Said he: “The carnage inflicted by armed herdsmen in recent times in the country on harmless and innocent citizens has reached an alarming stage; it is disheartening even to describe what these wicked human beings do to their fellow human beings; their bloodthirsty swords do

    not recognize children; they pleasurably open up pregnant women and display unborn children.

    “For them, a single cow is worth a community of human beings. To further worsen the scenario, the government appears either powerless to curb their activities or deliberately, purposely and intentionally indifferent.

    “Why is dealing with herdsmen a difficult task for the government? This is a question making Nigerians lose confidence in the present Federal Government.”

    On the proposed cattle colony for herdsmen, Primate Okoh said “the move to create cattle colony for Fulani herdsmen around the country does not have our support. This is because the move treats a set of people with unwarranted special preference, making theme indigenes of

    all regions of the country.

    “Just as we were hoping for a sigh of relief from Boko Haram menace, herdsmen have taken over. Militancy in different parts of the country, armed robbery, kidnappings, human trafficking, ritual killings etc are all still there. Nigeria needs prayers now more than ever before,” he said.

    On 2019, the primate said “we wish to call on our political leaders and politicians to work harder to deliver on the promises of previous campaigns. Nigerians are still yearning for the dividends of democracy not another round of empty promises.”

  • Buhari: herdsmen, bandits attacks won’t be tolerated

    Buhari: herdsmen, bandits attacks won’t be tolerated

    President Muhammadu Buhari  yesterday  urged victims of herdsmen attacks not to engage in reprisals.

    He reassured the people of the Northcentral, who are mostly at the receiving end of the attacks, that his administration would not tolerate such barbaric acts.

    The President spoke while commissioning the Comprehensive Special School, Lafia, Nasarawa State.

    He plans to visit other states where herdsmen-farmers clashes have led to many deaths. Buhari will be in Taraba, Zamfara and Benue, but no dates have been set for the trips.

    Buhari said that the Federal Government was working hard to ensure that peace and stability returned to the region.

    According to him, additional resources have been deployed to end the crisis and maintain law and order.

    The President said: “I also want to assure the people of the Northcentral and indeed all Nigerians that the Federal Government is working day night to ensure that peace and stability return.

    “We have deployed additional resources to all the affected areas to maintain law and order.

    “The attacks by suspected herdsmen and other bandits will not be tolerated.

    “I appeal to all Nigerians to refrain from reprisal attacks. The security agencies have standing order to arrest and prosecute any and all persons found with illegal arms.

    “I will, once again, express my condolences and sympathy to all the affected victims of these barbaric acts.”

    He pledge that the change mantra of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) would continue to be the basis for solutions to Nigeria’s problems.

    He said: “Let me use this opportunity to stress that the Change philosophy which precipitated the APC Government will continue to idealise and identify issues that are critical to our socio-economic development with a view to proffering lasting solutions to them.

    “I want to assure Nigerians that we would intensify our commitment towards the realisation of the cardinal objectives of this Administration anchored on securing lives and property, curbing corruption and ensuring economic growth through diversification.”

    The President noted that the people of Nasarawa have always been with the Change movement, since the early days of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) through APC.

    He said: “In 2011, the people of Nasarawa decided to vote for Change, voted for the CPC in order to have a government for the people, and in 2015 they voted for continuity.

    “Today, I am obliged to reiterate Governor Al-Makura’s proclamation that, indeed, Nasarawa State is my political home.

    “Since the inauguration of His Excellency Umar Tanko Al-Makura as the Governor of Nasarawa State in May, 2011; the occasion which I attended personally, I have been following the trend of events in the state and the reports I receive are that of execution of many projects.

    “Accordingly, during my campaign visit to Nasarawa State in 2015, I noticed the transformation within Lafia metropolis.”

    Other projects the President commissioned included the Electronic Library, a Fire Service facility and a township road, a model primary health care centre and the Karu International Market.

    Noting that “this is the Change people of Nasarawa voted for,”’ Buhari said: “I must add that these projects, I believe, were executed owing largely to the frugality of Governor Al-Makura in the management of the meagre resources at the disposal of the administration in the state.”

    Pleased with the launch of the pilot scheme of the Community Health Influencers, Promoters and Services (CHIPS) National Programme at Kwandare, Lafia Local Government Area, the President directed the Federal Ministry of Health to synergise with other states to roll out the programme to enable the less privileged and rural dwellers have access to health services.

    He assured the state that all ongoing federal strategic projects, especially the power transmission sub-stations and roads, would be completed to further enhance the  socio-economic development of Nasarawa State and the Northcentral.

    Speaking earlier during a courtesy call on the Emir of Lafia, Alhaji Isa Mustafa Agwai, the President said he was honoured to visit the state for the first time since he assumed office.

    He said: “I am very pleased to honour this invitation which your governor booked as soon as I was sworn in as the President.

    “I tried to remain within the castle called Aso Villa but I had to break out and come in order to honour this invitation which has been outstanding for so long.”

    Governor Al-Makura urged the Federal Government to take over the construction of the Keffi-Lafia-Vaji road, which will reduce Lafia – Abuja travel time to one hour from three hours.

    He described Nasarawa as the “political laboratory” of President Buhari as it was the only state won by the defunct CPC founded by the president.

    He said the state had adopted the President’s Change template to ensure the best practices which will bring development to the people especially the downtrodden.

  • Don’t carry out reprisal attacks, Buhari tells Herdsmen victims

    Don’t carry out reprisal attacks, Buhari tells Herdsmen victims

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday called on victims of suspected herdsmen attacks not to engage in reprisals.
    He reassured the people of the north central, who are mostly at the receiving end of the deadly attacks, that his administration would not tolerate the barbaric acts.
    He spoke while commissioning the Comprehensive Special School, Lafia, Nasarawa State.
    He said that the Federal Government was working hard to ensure that peace and stability returned to the region.
    According to him, additional resources have already been deployed to all the affected areas to end the crisis and maintain law and order.
    He said: “I also want to assure the people of the north central and indeed all Nigerians that the federal government is working day night to ensure peace and stability returns.
    “We have deployed additional resources to all the affected areas to maintain law and order.
    “The attacks by suspected herdsmen and other bandits will not be tolerated.
    “I appeal to all Nigerians to refrain from reprisal attacks. The security agencies have standing order to arrest and prosecute any and all persons found with illegal arms
    “I will once again express my condolences and sympathy to all the affected victims of these barbaric acts.” he said
    He assured that the change mantra of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) would continue to be the basis for solutions to the nation’s problems.
    He said: “Let me use this opportunity to stress that the Change philosophy which precipitated the APC Government will continue to idealize and identify issues that are critical to our socio-economic development with a view to proffering lasting solutions to them.
    “I want to assure Nigerians that we would intensify our commitment towards the realization of the cardinal objectives of this Administration anchored on securing lives and property, curbing corruption and ensuring economic growth through diversification.” he said
    The President noted that the people of Nasarawa have always been with the Change movement, since the early days of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) through All Progressives Congress (APC).
    He said “In 2011, the people of Nasarawa decided to vote for Change, voted for the CPC in order to have a government for the people, and in 2015 they voted for continuity.
    “Today, I am obliged to reiterate Governor Al-Makura’s proclamation that, indeed, Nasarawa State is my political home.
    “Since the inauguration of His Excellency Umar Tanko Al-Makura as the Governor of Nasarawa State in May, 2011; the occasion which I attended personally, I have been following the trend of events in the State and the reports I received are that of execution of many projects.
    “Accordingly, during my campaign visit to Nasarawa State in 2015, I noticed the transformation within Lafia metropolis.” he said
    Other projects the president commissioned included the Electronic Library, a Fire Service facility and Township Road, a Model Primary Health Care Centre and Karu International Market.
    While noting that “this is the Change people of Nasarawa voted for,”’he said: “I must add that these projects, I believe, were executed owing largely to the frugality of Governor Al-Makura in the management of the meagre resources at the disposal of the Administration in the State.”
    Pleased with launch of the Pilot Scheme of the Community Health Influencers, Promoters and Services (CHIPS), National Programme at Kwandare, Lafia Local Government Area, the president directed the Federal Ministry of Health to synergize with other States to roll out the programme to enable the less privileged and the rural dwellers to have access to health services.
    He assured the state that all ongoing federal strategic projects, especially the power transmission sub-stations and roads network would be completed to further enhance the  socio-economic development of Nasarawa State and the north central region.
    Speaking earlier during a courtesy call on the Emir of Lafia, Alhaji Isa Mustafa Agwai, the president said he was honoured to be able to visit the state for the first time since he assumed office.
    He said: “I am very pleased to honour this invitation which your governor booked as soon as I was sworn in as the president.
    “I tried to remained within the castle called Aso Villa but I had to break out and come in order to honour this invitation which has been outstanding for so long.”
    In his remark, Governor Tanko al-Makura of Nasarawa state, appealed to the federal government to take over the construction of the Keffi-Lafia-Vaji road which would reduce the travel time from Lafia to Abuja to one hour from the present three hours.
    He described Nasarawa as the “political laboratory” of President Buhari as it was the only state won by the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) founded by the president.
    He said that the state had adopted the president’s Change template to ensure the best practices which would bring development to the people especially the downtrodden.
    From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja
    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday called on victims of suspected herdsmen attacks not to engage in reprisals.
    He reassured the people of the north central, who are mostly at the receiving end of the deadly attacks, that his administration would not tolerate the barbaric acts.
    He spoke while commissioning the Comprehensive Special School, Lafia, Nasarawa State.
    He said that the Federal Government was working hard to ensure that peace and stability returned to the region.
    According to him, additional resources have already been deployed to all the affected areas to end the crisis and maintain law and order.
    He said: “I also want to assure the people of the north central and indeed all Nigerians that the federal government is working day night to ensure peace and stability returns.
    “We have deployed additional resources to all the affected areas to maintain law and order.
    “The attacks by suspected herdsmen and other bandits will not be tolerated.
    “I appeal to all Nigerians to refrain from reprisal attacks. The security agencies have standing order to arrest and prosecute any and all persons found with illegal arms
    “I will once again express my condolences and sympathy to all the affected victims of these barbaric acts.” he said
    He assured that the change mantra of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) would continue to be the basis for solutions to the nation’s problems.
    He said: “Let me use this opportunity to stress that the Change philosophy which precipitated the APC Government will continue to idealize and identify issues that are critical to our socio-economic development with a view to proffering lasting solutions to them.
    “I want to assure Nigerians that we would intensify our commitment towards the realization of the cardinal objectives of this Administration anchored on securing lives and property, curbing corruption and ensuring economic growth through diversification.” he said
    The President noted that the people of Nasarawa have always been with the Change movement, since the early days of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) through All Progressives Congress (APC).
    He said “In 2011, the people of Nasarawa decided to vote for Change, voted for the CPC in order to have a government for the people, and in 2015 they voted for continuity.
    “Today, I am obliged to reiterate Governor Al-Makura’s proclamation that, indeed, Nasarawa State is my political home.
    “Since the inauguration of His Excellency Umar Tanko Al-Makura as the Governor of Nasarawa State in May, 2011; the occasion which I attended personally, I have been following the trend of events in the State and the reports I received are that of execution of many projects.
    “Accordingly, during my campaign visit to Nasarawa State in 2015, I noticed the transformation within Lafia metropolis.” he said
    Other projects the president commissioned included the Electronic Library, a Fire Service facility and Township Road, a Model Primary Health Care Centre and Karu International Market.
    While noting that “this is the Change people of Nasarawa voted for,”’he said: “I must add that these projects, I believe, were executed owing largely to the frugality of Governor Al-Makura in the management of the meagre resources at the disposal of the Administration in the State.”
    Pleased with launch of the Pilot Scheme of the Community Health Influencers, Promoters and Services (CHIPS), National Programme at Kwandare, Lafia Local Government Area, the president directed the Federal Ministry of Health to synergize with other States to roll out the programme to enable the less privileged and the rural dwellers to have access to health services.
    He assured the state that all ongoing federal strategic projects, especially the power transmission sub-stations and roads network would be completed to further enhance the  socio-economic development of Nasarawa State and the north central region.
    Speaking earlier during a courtesy call on the Emir of Lafia, Alhaji Isa Mustafa Agwai, the president said he was honoured to be able to visit the state for the first time since he assumed office.
    He said: “I am very pleased to honour this invitation which your governor booked as soon as I was sworn in as the president.
    “I tried to remained within the castle called Aso Villa but I had to break out and come in order to honour this invitation which has been outstanding for so long.”
    In his remark, Governor Tanko al-Makura of Nasarawa state, appealed to the federal government to take over the construction of the Keffi-Lafia-Vaji road which would reduce the travel time from Lafia to Abuja to one hour from the present three hours.
    He described Nasarawa as the “political laboratory” of President Buhari as it was the only state won by the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) founded by the president.
    He said that the state had adopted the president’s Change template to ensure the best practices which would bring development to the people especially the downtrodden.