The Federal Government says the clashes between farmers and herdsmen have become a major national concern which is determined to holistically address.
This is according to the Minister of Information and Culture, Mr Lai Mohammed, who addressed State House correspondents on Wednesday shortly after the Federal Executive Council meeting.
“The government is very very concern about the herdsmen and farmers clashes and they are receiving attention at the highest level,” he said.
Mr Mohammed, who briefed reporters in company of the Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, as well as the Minister of Works, Power, and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, also defended government’s proposal for the establishment of cattle colonies.
He further explained why the Federal Government was yet to consider setting up a full-fledged military operation in the affected parts of Benue State.
“As to who to send after what, I think that would be a decision after thorough deliberation of the matter,” the minister said.
In a bid to prevent further loss of lives and properties, President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday ordered the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, to immediately move to Benue State.
While in the state, the President asked the police boss to restore law and order in the communities affected by the recent herdsmen attacks and to also prevent the crisis from escalating and spreading to other parts of the state.
On his arrival in Benue on Wednesday, Mr Idris promised to arrest those behind the incessant killings in the state.
He also assured the state governor, Samuel Ortom, and people of the state that the law would definitely take its course on the culprits.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army has also deployed Special Forces to Benue, Taraba and Nasarawa states amid tensions of attacks on communities in the states.
The deployment of the troops was to restore peace in attacked communities and secure vulnerable communities in the states.
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