Edo Govt Charges Fulani Herdsmen, Farmers to Maintain Peace

Edo Govt Charges Fulani Herdsmen, Farmers to Maintain Peace

Following the clash between Fulani herdsmen and local farmers which left one person dead last week in Edo State, the state government has urged both warring parties to maintain peace.

The government warned then to allow peace reign or face the wrath of the law, as it would neither ban grazing nor farming.

Speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting to find lasting solution to the lingering crisis between Fulani herdsmen and farmers in the state, the state Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, said if not properly managed, the crisis “could escalate beyond what we can manage quietly.”

He vowed that government would prosecute any rapist, kidnapper, rustler who steals people’s cows, adding that listening to all the stakeholders, including royal fathers, farmers, Fulani herdsmen among others, “everybody agreed that rape, robbery, destruction of farms, rustling of cattle are not acceptable.

“In every conflict, there must be an oppressor. Somebody might be blamed, but every conflict can be resolved if all the parties approach the solution with honest intentions, and whatever agreement reached, we will try to implement it faithfully. That way, there would be peace. There will be no war without a quarrel, but what matters is the capacity to resolve the quarrel and continue to live in peace."

According to the governor, “It is clear to me that Nigeria can only explore ways to live together; not to live together and create small islands. It’s not going to happen. And even if we isolate the Fulani herdsmen challenge, we still have other pockets of boundary issues in various communities, even within the Benin Kingdom, Esanland, and Afemai. To me, therefore, we cannot expect a world without conflicts, but we can develop the skills to manage and resolve conflicts when they arise. And that is the purpose of this meeting.”

He added that: “Like the migrant Fulani representative said, you cannot decree a solution, but we can work towards a solution. And we have to use both carrot and stick approach. We offer incentives and support to those who want to do honest business and severe sanctions for those who breach the rules of engagement, including imprisonment.

“The state government will prosecute any criminal in the state. Anybody who infringes on the laws will be dealt with firmly without any sentiment.”