Plateau killings: New OPSH Commander sues for peace between natives, Fulani herdsmen

By Moses Mark

Due to the unabated hostilities among herders and some communities in Plateau State that led to the killing of two persons, occasioned by protest, the Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) deployed to restore law and order in Plateau, Bauchi and Southern Kaduna on Thursday organised an emergency peace meeting between the two farmers and herders to find a lasting solution to attacks.

The two warring communities of the Fulani and the Berom in Riyom, Local government area prompted the mediation.

The peace parley, which was on instance of the newly posted Commander, Major-General, Ibrahim Sallahu Ali of the task force, expressed disgust over the escalating attacks and counter attacks between farmers and herders especially in the Northern zone of the state.

The meeting which was held at the OPSH’s headquarters in Jos had in attendance the representatives of Fulani herders and Community leaders of Berom from Barkin Ladi and Riyom Local Government Ares of the State.

Speaking during the meeting,Maj General Ibrahim Sallahu Ali who doubles as the Commanding Officer, 3 Division, warned both herders and farmers against taking law into their hands, requesting that whatever happened to any member of a community should be reported to the personnel of the operation deployed to their areas, or any appropriate authority, assuring that the OPSH under his watch would do everything possible to ensure justice and fairness to everyone.

He said, “The work is not easy but it is possible. Attacks and counter attacks must be stopped. No herder should rear cows on any farm crops. If any herder caught rearing or destroying farm crops will be delt with.

“Again, no farmer should kill cows. If cows eat your crops, report to us. All complaints should be reported to the appropriate authorities before taking any action.

“When it is 6:pm, rearing must be stopped. We understand that there conspiracy of silence among the community leaders. Any community leader found harboring criminals be dealt with.

” Expose any criminal elements amongst you. Give us a chance, we will ensure justice and fairness among you. We must cooperate before we achieve our desire, ” he added.

Davou Dalyop, a resident of Riyom, while speaking during the meeting complained about land grabbing, saying they wanted to go back to their homes but their lands had been taken away, calling on the security to ensure that their lands were given back to them.

In his remarks, the MACBAN chairman of Barkin Ladi LGA, Muhammad Muhammad, explained that lack of justice and fairness had often been the problem of the 20 years crisis, saying once justice was done, there would be peace.

Our correspondent reports that all the communities at the meeting agreed to sheath their sword and assured that they would cooperate with the commander to attain a lasting peace.