Tiv/Fulani crisis: Committee recommends resettlement of victims

The Conflict Resolution and Peace Building Committee set up by the Benue State government over the Tiv/Fulani crises submitted its report at the weekend, with a recommendation that the Federal Government should resettle victims in their respective communities.

The crisis, which led to death of many and destruction of property worth millions of naira early this year, caused Governor Gabriel Suswam to pull together stakeholders headed by retired Brigadier-General Atom Kpera, to find lasting solution to the incessant clashes.

A similar committee headed by retired Major-General Lawrence Onoja was also set up to look at the crisis involving the Agatu people of the state.

Speaking to newsmen after the submission, Senator Joseph Waku, on behalf of the committee appealed to the federal government to build houses for those who were affected in the crisis to enable them return to their various communities.

“We just submitted our final report and some of the recommendations include a call on the federal government through the state government to resettle the affected areas and rebuild the homes of those who were disposed. We also recommended that those who were displaced from their various communities should be encouraged to go back there,” he said.

Senator Waku also urged people of the state to report suspicious persons to relevant authorities, while noting that Fulani people are constitutionally empowered to move around freely.

“Fulanis who have always been here, people know them and if they (villagers) find any strange person among them, they should report to the appropriate authorities,” he said.

The former lawmaker added that the governor has already constituted a committee to produce a White Paper on the report.