The Benue State Commissioner of Police, Paul Yakadi, on Tuesday said the departure of herdsmen from the state will mark the end of clashes between them and Benue farmers.
Speaking with News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Makurdi the state capital, Yakadi said the herdsmen have started leaving the state on their own volition to end the ongoing crisis with farmers.
He noted that the decision of the herdsmen to leave the state would give peace a chance.
“The herdsmen have started leaving the state for peace to reign, they are leaving in their numbers, but that does not mean the crisis has ended.
“We believe that in no distant time peace will return in the affected local governments and the people will return to their homes again.
“My men are trying their best to end this crisis. Our people too must learn to live with one another and manage disagreement amicably without violence,’’ he advised.
The commissioner said that the Benue command was expecting two additional units of mobile police from Asaba and Abakaliki to quell the farmers/herdsmen crisis.
He said that the new units would be deployed to the hinterlands to assist the other officers already on ground to fully end the crisis.
The commissioner appealed to both parties to show restraint and learn to live with one another in peace.
The local government areas engulfed by the clashes included Agatu, Buruku, Logo, Kwande and Makurdi, the state capital.
NAN
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