Halidu Sani, the Overseer, Gadabuke Development Area of Nasarawa State, on Wednesday, warned residents of the area against rumour mongering, saying it was capable of creating tension among people.
The overseer gave the warning during peace and stakeholders meeting held in Gadabuke, following communal clashes between Egbura and Bassa tribes in Toto Local Government, headquarters of Gadabuke Development Area of the state.
There was communal clash between the Egbura and Bassa ethnic groups of Ugya in Toto Local Government Area of Nasarawa State on April 22, where many lives were lost and property destroyed.
There was another communal clash between Egbura and Bassa tribes on May 23 in which some people were allegedly killed and property destroyed.
Sani said rumour mongering was one of the factors fueling crisis in some part of the country, stressing that it was inimical to socio-economic development, hence the need for residents to shun such negative act.
According to him, the council has taken proactive steps to achieve permanent peace in the area and the state at large and urged the people to be law abiding, respect constituted authorities and shun violence.
The council boss said the meeting was not to apportion blame to any of the affected group but to prevent it’s spill over to other areas; as well as to discuss other challenges, especially farmers/herdsmen crisis.
He also advised the people to shun provocative statements and embrace peace, adding that peace was necessary for the development of any society, hence the need for the people to live in peace and be their brother’s keepers.
Sani restated the council’s commitment to continue to initiate good programmes that would promote peace in the area.
Some of the stakeholders including farmers who spoke during the meeting appealed to affected parties to embrace one another.
They said continued attacks would not only affect them negatively but would affect agricultural production in the area and the state at large.
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