Benue State’s Gwer West Local Government Area’s traditional leaders have cautioned against discussing land concessions with herders.
His Royal Highness Daniel Abomtse presided over an exceptional extended meeting of the Gwer West LG Traditional Council on Saturday at the Ter Tyoshin palace in Naka, when this decision was adopted. A copy of the meeting was made available to reporters on Monday.
Other traditional leaders and influential council members signed the statement, which urged young people to organise and participate in physical activity in their local communities.
Following a string of violent incidents in recent years, young people protesting the ongoing killings and kidnappings in their villages by suspected armed herders set fire to the palace, the local government headquarters, and other private buildings in Gwer West Local Government.
The traditional rulers called on all Tyoshin sons and daughters to demonstrate their dedication to the program of insecurity in the country in whatever role they are called upon to serve after rising from the extended exceptional session.
The communique read in parts, “The sitting vehemently condemned the unabated activities of marauding herdsmen, who wittingly attack, murder, rape, and maim our people, destroying houses and farms, and laying siege on all communities cutting across fifteen (15) council wards and appealed to Government to continue to support the people to send away the enemy.
“The sitting acknowledged security agents for their efforts in handling the security challenges bedeviling the people of Gwer West and urged them to double their efforts in combating insecurity in the land.
“The sitting urged Traditional rulers to take charge of their communities and exercise traditional authority to ensure the security and safety of their people and not betray the trust reposed in them as custodians of the lands and the areas within their domain.
“Nobody is allowed to negotiate with herders to cede land, co-exist or strike any deal on behalf of the people of Gwer West. Any person found wanting in this regard shall be handed over to law enforcement agents. The sitting urged the youth to mobilise themselves to continue to exercise vigilance in their various communities.”
The youths were summoned to the council by the traditional rulers to express regret and apologies for the arson, looting, sacking, and burning of Ter Tyoshin’s palace, the annexe and extension buildings, and the properties of other people. They also expressed disapproval of the cultist activities in the area and urged the youth to refrain from any criminal activity.
