THE Conflict Resolution and Peace Building Committee, which was set up by Benue State Government during the Tiv/Fulani crisis early this year, has called on the Federal Government to be proactive in resettling victims in their respective communities.

This was part of its recommendations as it submitted its report at the weekend. The Guardian learnt that the committee headed by Brig.-Gen. John Atom Kpera, and comprised members from the 14 local councils of Tiv extraction, was tasked with finding lasting solutions to the Tiv/Fulani crisis in the Tiv areas of the state.

THE Conflict Resolution and Peace Building Committee, which was set up by Benue State Government during the Tiv/Fulani crisis early this year, has called on the Federal Government to be proactive in resettling victims in their respective communities.

This was part of its recommendations as it submitted its report at the weekend. The Guardian learnt that the committee headed by Brig.-Gen. John Atom Kpera, and comprised members from the 14 local councils of Tiv extraction, was tasked with finding lasting solutions to the Tiv/Fulani crisis in the Tiv areas of the state.

It further urged the Federal Government to urgently build new houses for those affected to encourage them return to their respective homes and continue with their farm works, the spokesman of the committee, Senator JKN Waku, told newsmen after the event.

“We just submitted our final report and some of the recommendations are that the Federal Government should partner the state government to resettle the people of the affected areas and rebuild the homes of those that were dispossessed of their houses during the crisis,” he said.

“We also recommended that those who were displaced from their various communities should be encouraged to go back to their various places.”

On the continuous influx of Fulani herdsmen into Benue villages, Waku said the herders ere free to move around but that the villagers have been instructed to report to the appropriate authorities any new, strange face in their domains.

He explained: “Constitutionally, the Fulani are entitled to move freely, but we have also recommended that those Fulani that are already here – people know them – if they find some strange Fulani they are not conversant with, they should report to the appropriate authorities.”

Meanwhile, at the time of filing this report, the report of a similar committee covering Benue South Senatorial District (comprising Agatu, Idoma and Igede) was still being expected.

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FG panel on Tiv/Fulani crisis urges government to resettle victims

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