Insecurity: Northern Govs, Miyatti Allah to meet Thursday over Nyako’s report

MINNA — The Northern States Governors Forum, NSGF, and the Miyetti Allah Fulani Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria are to meet Thursday in Abuja to find lasting solutions to the incessant crises between herdsmen and farmers in the the north.
The meeting is coming against the backdrop of the controversial memorandum presented to the NSGF by the governor of Adamawa State, Admiral Murtala Nyako (rtd), at a meeting in Kaduna recently.

Nyako had blamed the Federal Government for allegedly sponsoring Boko Haram just as he exonerated the Fulani herdsmen over their alleged involvement in killings of farmers in some states in the north, saying the evil men in the Presidential Villa, Abuja were behind the crises.

Chairman of the forum and Governor of Niger State, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu confirmed the development in Minna, yesterday, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Danladi Ndayebo, pointing out that “the forum is now in receipt of Nyako’s memo.’’

This was even as the Governor Umaru Almakura of Nasarawa State’s effort towards restoring peace between the Tivs and the Fulani herdsmen in the state through community- based approach had begun to yield positive results with the Fulani elders and Miyetti Allah’s association, yesterday, agreeing to escort the displaced Tivs back to their ancestral homes.

Al-Makura, who addressed the Fulani delegation at the Government House, Lafia, said: “My government will not condone any insurgent or any militia group, who may be out to disturb peace in the state.

“That is why we have decided to embark on peaceful approach by meeting with each warring communities and tribes to settle their grievances.”

However, according to the Chairman of NSGF: “With a view to addressing the issues, the forum will discuss the memorandum submitted to it by Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State, where he raised several concerns about the insurgency in the North.

”I am enthusiastic that the interface between northern governors and Miyetti Allah would engender the restoration of the most desired peaceful co-existence, unity and development in the region.

”The forum intends to work closely with leaders of Miyetti Allah to unmask criminals who masquerade as cattle breeders to inflict mayhem on innocent citizens.”

The decision to dialogue with Miyetti Allah was taken at the last meeting of the National Economic Council, NEC, during which governors of the 36 states of the federation constituted a panel headed by Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State.

The panel was to work out ways of ending incessant clashes between herdsmen and farmers in the troubled region.