Benue State governor, Samuel
Ortom, has assured the Nigerian Army that his people would cooperate with its
troops sent to the state for the Operation Ayem Akpatuma.
Recall that the Chief of Army
Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Bruatai, on Tuesday, launched the exercise with the aim
of bringing under control the endless herders/farmers’ crisis and other
security challenges.
Speaking during the exercise, the
governor commended President Buhari for his timely intervention and response to
the plight of Benue people.
His speech in full:
I wish to formally welcome the
Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai and his entourage to Benue State
for the flag-off of “Ayem Akpatuma”.
I must say that this is an
important day in the life all Benue people because of the confidence which we
have in the Nigerian Army in which thousands of our sons and daughters have
served the nation. But for the commitment, dedication and professionalism of
the Nigerian Army which was demonstrated during the Nigerian Civil War, the
story of Nigeria would have been different today.
We cannot forget too what the
Nigerian Army did to quell the Maitatsine crisis in Kano in the 1980s and are
equally aware of the role the military is currently playing in containing the
Boko Haram insurgency in the North Eastern part of the country. Hitherto, the
once dreaded insurgents held sway in several Local Government Areas. Today,
however, they have been degraded and have only been carrying out attacks on
soft targets such as Churches, Mosques, Schools and Motor Parks.
The Army’s recent Python Dance I
and II in the South East which was deployed to contain the activities of the
Indigenous Peoples of Biafra succeeded in achieving its objectives. These
operations have contributed in keeping Nigeria one, safe and peaceful for
development activities to take place.
Distinguished Army Officers,
Ladies and Gentlemen, we have been informed that the exercise we are gathered
here for flag-off by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Buratai is to be
conducted in Benue, Kaduna, Kogi, Nasarawa and Taraba States. It is targeted at
criminal activities and individuals who subvert peace and progress in the
listed States. For us in Benue State, this exercise is unique because it is the
first time that the menace of farmers and herdsmen crises is being confronted
with the required attention and force that it truly deserves. I wish to commend
Mr. President who is the Commander-in-Chief for this bold step.
After we lost over 73 innocent
lives on 1st January, 2018 to herdsmen attacks, more lives were also lost in
subsequent attacks after the burial. In Zamfara State, more than 40 people were
also killed by Fulani herdsmen. This is besides the pockets of killings that
have been going on in Nasarawa, Plateau, Taraba, Adamawa, Kaduna and many other
States across Nigeria. To say the least, we cannot afford to go on like this as
a Nation. It is for this reason that we welcome “Ayem Akpatuma” and call on all
participants in the exercise to see it as crucial in the restoration of the
confidence of victims in the country.
There have been hundreds of
concerted attacks on several communities across Benue State since 2011. This
development compelled us to find a lasting solution to the incessant clashes
between farmers and herdsmen. Painstaking research and survey across the world
led us to enact the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law
2017. The major objective of this Law is to foster peace between farmers and
herders in accordance with international best practices in animal husbandry. We
are optimistic that the flag-off of Operation “Ayem Akpatuma” will further
bolster the implementation of this Law in the State.
Let me quickly assure the Army
hierarchy that all our people within the area of this operation would fully
co-operate with the Army. I wish to pledge that the State Government and all
Benue people would cooperate with you to succeed in this historic military
operation.
Finally, on behalf of the good
people and Government of Benue State, I sincerely thank President Muhammadu
Buhari, GCFR, Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, who has approved
this military exercise with a view to once and for all stemming the farmers/herders
crises in Benue State and across some states of Central Nigeria.
Once again, as we welcome the
Nigerian Army here, we are hopeful that the activities of all the officers and
the rank and file would be guided by utmost discipline, professionalism and strict
adherence to the rules of engagements for the good of Nigeria.
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