By; Magaji Hunkuyi, Jalingo.
Calm is gradually returning to five communities engulfed by farmers herds men conflict in Lau local government area of Taraba state.
New Nigerian gathered that about 10 people were killed while many others still missing during the conflict.
It was furthered gathered that five villages were also burnt down and property worth millions of Naira destroyed.
Leaders of both herdsmen and farmers were however brought to a round-table and the aggrieved parties reconciled while detachment of Police and Army dispatched to the affected areas.
It was gathered that intervention of communities from both side had helped in bringing normalcy to the trouble areas.
The Taraba State Commissioner of Information and Re – orientation, Mr . Anthony Danburam, who confirmed that return of normalcy in the area, also disclosed that Federal Government had deployed a task force to check the farmers and herders clashes in the state.
He made this known in Jalingo at a peace and reconciliation meeting for community leaders of Lau Council Area in connection with the recent farmers /herders clashes in the area.
Mr. Anthony Danburan said the task force of senior military officers was touring crisis ridden areas in the state to determine the possibility of a full flege military operation to tackle the wanton destruction of lives and property.
The Commissioner said the State and Federal Governments were worried by the spate of the crises which initially had political and ethnic undertones but now taking religious dimension.
He said the meeting was called by Gov. Darius Ishaku of the state to restore confidence and trust among the multi-ethnic groups in Lau, and to collectively find a lasting solution to the problem.
He said the meting was not called for “blame game” because “every ethnic group is to be blamed and every ethnic group is a victim”.
In his contribution, Mr. Alfred Kobiba, a Senior Special Adviser to the governor on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) urged the Lau people to give peace a chance.
He advised the people in the area to imbibe the spirit of tolerance in all their dealings and avoid bloodletting at the slightest provocation.
Alhaji Mafindi Danburam, North – East Zonal Chairman, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, said the crises between Fulani and Mumuye was unfortunate given their 201 years of peaceful coexistence.
He urged the Mumuye and Fulani to put their heads together and come up with comprehensive recommendation for a sustainable peace and development in the area.
Mr. Yunana Kinkan, the representative of Mumuye farmers, said his people were committed to a genuine peace process with the herdsmen.
He urged the general public to report to him any Mumuye found causing disharmony for necessary action.
Alhaji Umaru Umaru, the Muslim Council Chairman for Lau, noted that the crises was initially between a farmer and a herder only for it to be turned into religious one by some desperate politicians.
Rev. Sunday Patrick, the Lau Christians Association of Nigeria ( CAN ) Chairman, said the crises was “influenced by Satan”, stressing that only peaceful coexistence could guarantee development.
Meanwhile report from Kurmi local area of the state said four herdsmen were allegedly killed by some people suspected to be farmers at Dan Baki village along Maraban – Baissa road.
The report said the herdsmen killed were buried in grave inside a bush close to the village. Police Public Relation Officer, PPRO Taraba State Command DSP David Misel could not be reach for comment over the killing of herdsmen in Kurmi local government area.