For resisting the temptation to retaliate in the face of unprovoked attacks and grazing on their farms, the Benue State Government (BNSG), on Saturday, September 13 flagged off the cultivation of beans for six farming communities in Mbabai, Guma Local Governmemt Area (LGA) of the state. The farm is about 50 hectares.
Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Deaconess Serumun Deborah Aber described the communities as “heroes for peace.” The communities are Mbakyor, Mbagwa, Mbapupuu, Abanor, Mba-atsa, Mbavanya.
Their farms valued at millions of Naira were earlier this year grazed on by herds of cattle, but they opted not to rustle the cattle or retaliate. Instead, they arrested them and handed them over to security agencies, a development that endeared them to the governor of the state.
According to the SSG, although it is saddening that herders would allow their cattle to graze on farm fields, the Mbabai communities “have done and demonstrated” what should be emulated everywhere.
Mrs. Josephine Haba, Director General Benue State Peace and Reconcilliation Commission, who is spearheading the project expressed gratitude to the Governor for his thoughtfulness in rewarding the communities for putting up a responsible conduct in the face of attacks by herdsmen.
She is hopeful that after 40 days, the communities would harvest their beans made possible with the partnership of security agencies, BNSG, and community members to enhance food security.
All the needed input – beans seedlings, herbicide, pesticides, hoes, cutlasses, knapsack sprayers, tractors- for the farm projects have been provided with a joint security team posted to the farm to ensure that there is no encroachment by herdsmen.
According to Mrs. Haba, a peace committee has been set up in the communities that are engaging to achieve peace, “not just for the peace of herders and farmers but generally the dispute (resolution) within communities.”
On his part, Hon Joe Har, Special Adviser to the Governor on Security and Internal Affairs, who promptly responded to the alarm raised by the communities on invasion of their farms by herdsmen commended the communities for their examplery conduct.
He also thanked Governor Alia for rewarding the communities for their good conduct. The security adviser also commended security agencies for “the good job” they are doing in ensuring that local populations in the state enjoy relative peace.
On behalf of the farming communities, Mr. Benjamin Ikyoyer, a catechist, thanked the governor for his intervention. He assured that there would be no dispute amongst the farming communities in respect of the farm.
