Udege-Ukpoku Calls On Herdsmen To Sheathe Their Swords.

Alhaji Mohammed Udege-Ukpoku (APC), representing Nasarawa state constituency, has called on farmers and herdsmen in his constituency to sheathe their swords.
He called on them to refrain from inflammatory statements and rumours that could trigger crises in the area.

Udege-Ukpoku made the comments while visiting Udeni Magaji and its surrounding villages in Udege, Nasarawa local government area, following recent clashes.He attributed the clashes to inflammatory and inciting statements which if not restrained are capable of fuelling another conflict.Udege-Ukpoku called on parties in the conflict to embrace peace and respect constituted authorities in the interest of the socio-economic development of the area and the country at large. “It is unfortunate and uncalled-for that the recent clash between farmers and herdsmen of this area which claimed lives and destroyed property worth millions of Naira has affected our lives and the socio-economic development of the country negatively.
“I want to advise all of us especially the farmers and the Fulani herdsmen against the continued breach of the peace by taking the laws into our own hands, he said.“We should learn to report our grievances to the appropriate authority for necessary action.” “Why must people who live together take up arms against each other, and I want to advise people of this area especially the farmers and herdsmen against inflammatory statement and war rumour capable of fuelling another crisis. “I will do my best as well as collaborate with the State Government to assist victims of the crisis to enable them start a new life and to ensure that they are resettled in their respective homes,” he said.

He urged the people to embrace peace and tolerate one another irrespective of their ethnic, religious or political affiliation to ensure the development of the country.Alhaji Halilu Bala-Usman, the paramount ruler of Udege Chiefdom, condemned the loss of lives and destruction of properties that followed the clash and stressed the need for peaceful co-existence among the people.Bala-Usman commended the Atosoho of Agbashi, Moses Alade, for providing shelter displaced persons.On January 3, Udeni Magaji and the surrounding villages in Udege Development Area were attacked by unknown gunmen who killed several people and caused considerable property damage.