By Abraham Olatunbosun
The Nasarawa youth movement for Good Governance have cried out over impending crisis by Fulani herdsmen in the state.
They accused the state government of laxity even as they added that herdsmen are already building camps in the state.
Comrade Ibrahim Ayuba in a statement issued in Lafia said the group received with sadness a development in the Southern part of our dear state, that if not handled properly, will further worsen the already volatile security situation in the senatorial district and further displace our peace-loving people.
He said Fulani herdsmen are building camps in the southern districts and the people are fleeing the area due to fear of attacks and threats to peace that have existed between us and Benue state. The situation is indeed frightening.
“Several attacks by these herdsmen have occurred in the southern senatorial district, displacing so many citizens of our state and neighboring communities in Benue state in addition to claiming lives of many people and properties worth millions of naira.
“Tension is already building up in the border communities with our neighboring states as they are suspicious that the attacks claiming the lives of their citizens and the destruction of properties is being perpetrated by citizens of our dear state.
“The Attention of the government of Nasarawa state has been drawn to this ugly situation on several occasions; but the laxity been displayed by the government has become a source of worry to all citizens of the southern district who have lost their source of livelihood and are constantly displaced from their ancestral homes by invaders.
“The Nasarawa State youth movement for good governance frowns at the activities of these herdsmen and expresses sadness over the lackadaisical response of the state government to this ugly situation” he said
The group called on the Nasarawa state government to immediately initiate an executive bill prohibiting open grazing in Nasarawa state towards arriving at a permanent solution to the issue of farmer-herders crisis in Nasarawa state
“Finally, we call on the international community to beam its searchlight on Nasarawa state to put pressure on the state government to live up to its expectations of protecting the lives and properties of it’s citizens and other residents of the state” he said
