CATHOLIC BISHOPS IDENTIFY CAUSES OF CRISIS BETWEEN FULANI AND BENUE FARMERS Catholic Bishops of the dioceses in the flash points of the Fulani herdsmen and Benue State indigene farmers crisis have identified some of the causes of the crisis and called on government to address the fundamental issues identified to bring the crisis to an end. The identified fundamental issues were outlined in a communique issued by the Bishops at the end of their meeting held recently in Makurdi, Benue State. Signatories to the communiqué were: Bishops Athanasius Usuh of Makurdi; Michael Apochi of Otukpo; William Avenya of Gboko and Peter Adoboh of Katsina-Ala. According to the bishops, the endless conflicts between Fulani pastoralists and Tiv, Idoma and Agatu Farmers have been primarily due to the decision of the farmers of the flash point areas to protect their farm products which is their only source of living; unemployment and poverty and activities of the Cattle Rearers. They said: “Consequently, several permanent and semi-permanent Fulani settlements have emerged in many parts of the state. This development is the source of friction between the cattle rearers and farmers during the cropping season. Besides, the migrating cattle sometimes trespass on farm crops and tamper with rural sources of portable water, thereby igniting conflicts between farmers and herdsmen. The bishops went further to outline the effects of the continuous crisis on the economy, development and people of the state. These include: collapse of farming and economic activities, deteriorating health conditions, disruption of education and religious activities and temporary forfeiture of ancestral home lands by fleeing residents. Others are: massive internally displacement of persons, unimaginable loss of lives and property, encroachment on the traditional shrines and increase in rate of criminality. Proffering solutions to the situation the bishops, among other things, stressed the importance of dialogue and collaboration and pointed out national issues that need to be addressed in this perspective. These issues raised include: international protocols, processes of rearing cattle in countries around the world, effective transportation of cattle from the points of origin in the North to marketing centres elsewhere; inter-state stock route, cultural disparity in life style, ecological concern, effective security and policing. They called on all stakeholders in the affected areas, especially the Federal and state governments, religious leaders, community leaders, leadership of the Fulani community and the people of the state to cooperate and collaborate in finding lasting solutions to the identified issues and ensure security and peaceful coexistence of all the people in the state. They remarked: “We call on all those who have stood on the fence while the crisis has been raging to take responsibility for peace and security. Those who have in any way fuelled the crisis should be aware of facing the judgment seat of God. And those using gullible youths and illiterate villagers or pastoralists as pawns to promote their agenda must not forget that he who puts a block on the way of the blind cannot escape the wrath of the Lord.” ----- cnsng.org
Posted on: Wed, 09 Apr 2014 07:28:30 +0000
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