The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) yesterday condemned attacks on the convoy of Governor Gabriel Suswam and called for the setting up of commission of inquiry into frequent Fulani-Tiv ethnic clashes resulting into loss of lives and property.
In a statement issued by its spokesman, Muhammad Ibrahim, it said: “We described the situation in Benue as boiling because in the last two weeks or so, Benue state had experienced intense and vicious ethnic/communal clashes between the Tiv farmers and suspected Fulani herds men which had resulted into huge loss of lives and property, farm crops and herds of cattle.
“The recent attack on the convey of the Benue state Governor, Rt. Hon. Gabriel Suswam while on assessment tour of villages destroyed as a result of communal clashes between the Tiv and some suspected herdsmen in Guma Local Government Area ,was most shocking and unfortunate.”
It added: “ If the convey of a state Governor with all the paraphernalia of security detail could be so attacked by some bandits, what hope does the common man have in the Government that is primarily responsible for his security and welfare?
“The ACF once more wishes to urge the Federal and all the Northern State Government on the need to re double their efforts and be proactive in tackling security challenges in their domains.
“Communities must also be vigilant and monitor suspicious people within their midst, get involved in intelligence gathering and alert Security agencies in good time.”
Demanding commission of inquiry, it said: “The call by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saad Abubakar lll, that a Judicial Commission of Inquiry be instituted to unravel the causes of frequent clashes between the farmers and herds men in several states including Benue state is most welcome and should be seriously considered by Government.”
