The Yelwa community in Shendam Local Government Area of Plateau State, on Friday said it had lost 430 cows to rustlers in the area.
The leader of the community, Alhaji Abdulahi Abdulahi, made this known, when “Search for Common Grounds”, a European Union-sponsored Non-Governmental Organisation, visited the area.
“Cow rustling has become very common here and we believe it is being carried out by a syndicate,” Abdulahi said.
Leaders of the NGO had visited the community in continuation of their effort toward ending the violence that had been the lot of many Plateau communities in recent years.
Abdulahi urged stakeholders in the area to identify criminal elements living in the communities, pointing out that time had come for people to police their areas.
He called for more security consciousness among cattle owners, and advised against assumptions over the groups suspected to be responsible for the rustling.
He commended the EU for its interest in ending the Plateau violence, and charged the people to support such efforts so as to restore law and order “and open doors for prosperity to flourish in the area.”
“The group has taught my people what I believe is the ‘peace formula’ with which we can resolve our differences and live together in peace,” he said.
He, however, lamented the neglect of his community by the Shendam Local Government authorities and called on the council to give attention to communities in the area.
In his contribution, Malam Ismail Isa, one of the leaders of the Fulani herdsmen in the area, identified cattle rustling as the “main headache” of the communities.
He called for stringent steps to end the trend so as to minimize tension usually associated with the loss of cows.
A youth leader in Nshar community, Mr Gerald Longstat, who also spoke during the visit, decried the consistent attacks in the communities and called for steps to end them.
He blamed the attacks on internal distrust and disharmony among the people and said that what was needed was mutual confidence so as to ease the tension.
Longsat expressed optimism that the NGO’s efforts would breed tolerance and acceptance among the people irrespective of religion difference,
The leader of the NGO team, Mr Chima Onwe, commended people in the area for receiving them and accepting to be counseled.
He advised every indigene of the area to be an agent of peace and development.
The leader of the community, Alhaji Abdulahi Abdulahi, made this known, when “Search for Common Grounds”, a European Union-sponsored Non-Governmental Organisation, visited the area.
“Cow rustling has become very common here and we believe it is being carried out by a syndicate,” Abdulahi said.
Leaders of the NGO had visited the community in continuation of their effort toward ending the violence that had been the lot of many Plateau communities in recent years.
Abdulahi urged stakeholders in the area to identify criminal elements living in the communities, pointing out that time had come for people to police their areas.
He called for more security consciousness among cattle owners, and advised against assumptions over the groups suspected to be responsible for the rustling.
He commended the EU for its interest in ending the Plateau violence, and charged the people to support such efforts so as to restore law and order “and open doors for prosperity to flourish in the area.”
“The group has taught my people what I believe is the ‘peace formula’ with which we can resolve our differences and live together in peace,” he said.
He, however, lamented the neglect of his community by the Shendam Local Government authorities and called on the council to give attention to communities in the area.
In his contribution, Malam Ismail Isa, one of the leaders of the Fulani herdsmen in the area, identified cattle rustling as the “main headache” of the communities.
He called for stringent steps to end the trend so as to minimize tension usually associated with the loss of cows.
A youth leader in Nshar community, Mr Gerald Longstat, who also spoke during the visit, decried the consistent attacks in the communities and called for steps to end them.
He blamed the attacks on internal distrust and disharmony among the people and said that what was needed was mutual confidence so as to ease the tension.
Longsat expressed optimism that the NGO’s efforts would breed tolerance and acceptance among the people irrespective of religion difference,
The leader of the NGO team, Mr Chima Onwe, commended people in the area for receiving them and accepting to be counseled.
He advised every indigene of the area to be an agent of peace and development.
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