By; BALA B. BTRUS, Minna.
Nearly two months after villagers at Bar’kuta communities were attacked by invading herdsmen, Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), has finally brought relief and succour to the displaced villagers.
The items include building materials worth about N13 million plus N5 million cash as well as food stuff which were donated to the victims of the recent communal clash between the Gbagyi farmers and Fulani herdsmen at the Bar’kuta village of Bosso Local Government area of the state.
The state government said its gesture was to restore normalcy to the affected village and ensure that life goes on again. He urged the victims of the clash to put the incidence behind them and look forward to a harmonious coexistence amongst each other.
The State Governor represented by the state’s Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, Alhaji Mamman Musa Bosso said the government was more concerned about the security of lives and property of the citizenry and the sustenance of peace and harmony across the state.
The materials donated included 1, 200 bags of cement, 100 bundles of roofing sheets, 50 bags of nails and another 50 bags of three and half inches nails which were distributed to the 301 victims of the clash.
Other items in the relief package are food stuff made up of 120 bags of rice, 200 bags of Maize, 200 bundles of assorted clothing materials, assorted types of cooking oil and cash gifts per victim depending on the extent of the losses incurred by each victim during the attack.
The village Head of the affected communities, Alhaji Mohammed Maigari who was at hand to receive the government emissary amidst hundreds of sympathisers of relations of the victims, commended the state government for its assistance.
Also present at the occasion were the representatives of the Gbagyi farmers and their Fulani counterparts, representatives of Igbo communities in the area, Messrs Henry Ezeagu and Simeon Obeyan, both proprietors of Patents Medicine Stores and General Merchandise and goods.
The state Governor expressed sympathy over the colossal loss of lives and property during the clash and commiserated with the people over the incidence. No fewer than eleven souls perished in the fracas while properties including residential homes, commercial and business outlets, vehicles, market stalls and food stuffs worth millions of naira in economic value were destroyed.
Governor Bello however cautioned that the state would not accept acts of intolerance, trouble making and willful damages from any group or individual henceforth.
He said “Niger state is big enough for all of us to cohabit peacefully. I want to specifically urge the Gbagyi and the Fulani herdsmen to give peace a chance, embrace one another and forgive one another in the interest of all”.
He said the state would not sit back and watch as people take laws into their own hands as if there are no laws that govern the conducts of all.
He said resort to violence even under the excuse of provocation was itself a grave offence which attracts severe consequences.
The Governor advised that whenever there are disagreements between them, anyone who feels infringed should report to law enforcement agencies than to be law onto himself.
The Governor admitted that authorities in the state were aware of the influx of some people with evil intentions who are hiding in parts of the state but enjoined law abiding citizens to be vigilant and report such undesirable elements who are out to cause trouble and reap from where they had not sowed.
He said government was monitoring the conducts, movements and activities of such persons and would soon nab them.
The Director General of the state Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), commended both the Gbagyis and their Fulani herdsmen counterparts for agreeing to embrace peace once again by putting the ugly incidence behind them and particularly for coming together again to live in the community as one family.
The village Head of Bar’kuta community, Alhaji Maigari expressed gratitude to the state government for intervening and bringing succour to the victims. He noted that there is now a new hope for tomorrow for the victims and the rest of the communities in the villages.
He assured that lasting peace had since returned in the community as the villagers were willing to pick up their lives and move on.
