Benue insecurity largely linked to criminal activities, not land grabbing agenda — OPWS Commander

The Force Commander of Joint Task Force Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), Major General Moses Gara, has stated that quality and operational findings from information missions crossed Benue State bash not enactment allegations of an organised Islamist run aimed astatine taking implicit indigenous lands successful Benue and the wider North-Central region.

Speaking connected Saturday portion reviewing the information scenery and challenges facing information agencies, Gara explained that astir convulsive incidents successful the country are rooted successful transgression behaviour, retaliatory attacks, breakdowns successful instrumentality and order, and anemic section dispute-resolution systems.

He noted that though clashes betwixt farmers and Fulani herders proceed to make tension, information investigations person not uncovered grounds showing that displaced communities person had their lands permanently occupied by herders oregon immoderate different group.

“I person personally visited respective displaced communities. To my knowledge, I person not seen immoderate non-indigene travel guardant to assertion ownership of onshore belonging to communities successful Benue.

“I person repeatedly asked for grounds of immoderate assemblage that has been permanently occupied pursuing displacement of its indigenous population, but nary has been presented,” helium said.

According to the commander, immoderate incidents involving demolition of farmlands person been traced to mediocre livestock management, including situations wher...