BENUE: SIX PERSONS DEAD IN FULANI CRISIS

Six persons have been confirmed dead in a clash between Fulani herdsmen and Igede youths in Oju Local Government Area of Benue State, as herdsmen return down south for grazing during the dry season.

 The Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom gave details of the clash when he convened a peace meeting between the warring parties in Otukpo.

The Transition Committee Chairman of Oju Local Government Area, Mr Omenyi said that two of his kinsmen were killed by the herdsmen who also lost four persons in the battle.
Spokesman for the herdsmen in Benue South popularly called Zone C, told the Governor through an interpreter that four of his kinsmen were killed with three of them beheaded and many cattles rustled.

Governor Ortom, who had earlier held a similar meeting with Tiv and Fulani herdsmen in Makurdi, warmed all warring parties against taking laws into their hands by resorting to self help and violence.
Nigerians have been inundated with reports of Fulani herdsmen related violence across parts of the country, especially when the dry season sets in and grazing fields dry up in the north.
It has been recommended that the perennial Fulani herdsmen\indigenous farmers crisis can only be addressed by the provision of grazing routes and ranches.