The governors of Nasarawa and Benue States have lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for deploying the Air Force to tackle insecurity in the North-Central region of the country.
Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State and his Benue counterpart, Samuel Ortom gave the commendation during a joint peace and security meeting on Wednesday in Yelwata, a border community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.
Ortom, in his submission at the meeting initiated by Governor Sule, promised to sustain the already existing smooth relationship between him and his Nasarawa State counterpart.
He assured that the two governors would continue to work together for the overall good of their respective states.
He further pledged to work closely with Sule to ensure that the boundary between their states were demarcated for peace to reign.
“The Deputy Governors of Benue and Nasarawa who are Chairmen of boundary committees should ensure that the boundaries are demarcated without much delay.
“I and Governor Sule will give you adequate support to enable you carry out the assignment in a record time,” he said.
He also commended Sule for initiating the peace meeting, emphasing that he was a peace builder.
Earlier, Sule lamented over heightened security concerns in Nasarawa state which prompted his visit to the President to seek help.
Sule said the President graciously granted his request by deploying the Airforce to the zone covering Nasarawa, Benue and Kogi states.
“I am also worried about where the Benue boundary begins and where that of Nasarawa starts.
“If you ask, you will get different answers depending on who you ask. So, there is a need to demarcate the boundaries and establish physical features there,” he said.
He advised herdsmen not to graze close to the disputed boundary to avoid problems.
“Benue State Government has a law in place which prohibits open grazing but we do not have it in Nasarawa.
“In Nasawara your cattle can graze freely but do not allow them to go close to the disputed boundary for peace to reign,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Chairman, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Nasawara State, Alhaji Mohamed Husaaini appealed to the two states to form a Joint Peace Monitoring Team to assist in curbing criminality in the border communities. (NAN)
