Govs pledge to compensate farmer, herdsmen clashes’ victims
State governors have agreed to compensate victims of farmers/herders clashes in the various states.
The agreement was reached at a meeting of the National Economic Council held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Thursday.
The meeting was presided over by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo.
The council has all state governors, the Central Bank of Nigeria’s governor and relevant ministers ministers as members.
The decision to pay compensation was contained in the communique read by Ogun state Governor, Dapo Abiodun, alongside his Kebbi state counterpart, Atiku Bagudu.
Abiodun noted that those who suffered losses in targeted attacks must be made to have a sense of compensation.
He also said the council resolved that there must be public condemnation of hatred against minority groups, as it advised that members of non-indigenous groups should be incorporated into local security groups.
Abiodun stated, “The Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Governor of Ekiti state updated the council on the security situation and community policing as follows.
“He stressed the importance of the protection of all residents, including non-indigenous communities and religious and ethnic minorities within the state jurisdiction.
“It was agreed that in collaboration with federal authorities, the reconstruction of destroyed homes and payment of compensation where appropriate, by state authorities for damage to property and livelihoods sustained during the targeted attacks on communities within their jurisdiction, must be done.
“It was also resolved that deceased victims of such violence be duly accorded dignified burial rites”.
Meanwhile, gunmen suspected to be herdsmen have reportedly killed seven persons including farmers at Ugboke, Oshodi, Okokodo, Ariyan and Yoruba Camp in Ovia North-East Local Government Area of the state on Wednesday.
The PPRO of the state command, Chidi Nwabuzor, confirmed the incident and said all efforts were being made to arrest the perpetrators.
According to Mrs. Janet Ighodaro, an indigene of the area, the residents were caught unawares by the blood thirsty herdsmen.
She said, “She suspected herdsmen took over the popularly known Yoruba camp located in Ovia North-East as a base to launch attack into various communities in our state.
“Four of the victims were returning from their farm when they got shot and killed on the spot. I was lucky to escape and i am currently in Benin where i am putting up with family members.
She lamented that the gruesome attack on the camp and communities was reported to the police, adding that security presence in the locality was zero.
Ighodao stressed that the policemen who came to the area on Thursday after the dastardly act, only stopped at Okokhua community.
She added that the policemen insisted that they would not go further but instructed the affected communities to bring the dead bodies to them at Okokhuo.
Nwabuzor confirmed the incident and promised that the criminals would be arrested and brought to justice.
He said, “The DPO and his operatives visited the crime site and evacuated the bodies while moves are on to ensure that the place is calm and lives return to normalcy”.
