By PETER DURU, Makurdi
Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Sa’ad Abubakar has decried the incessant attacks on Tiv farmers in parts of Benue State by Fulani herdsmen warning that there was an urgent need to find lasting solution to the clashes which had claimed over 80 lives in recent times.

The monarch stated this yesterday in Makurdi, where he was billed to commission the reconstructed Makurdi Central Mosque, a project undertaken by the Governor Suswam led administration.

He said while in the state, he would convene a meeting of elders of the affected Tiv communities and Fulani herdsmen with a view to restoring peace and confidence among the affected parties.

The Sultan disclosed that he had earlier constituted a peace committee headed by the Tor Tiv, HRH Akawe Torkula and Emir of Gombe with the aim of arresting the crisis but regretted that despite the efforts, the skirmishes have continued unabated.

While emphasizing the need to promote peace in the country, the traditional ruler eulogized the gesture of Benue state governor, Mr Gabriel Suswam who he said put aside religious and tribal differences to assist the Muslim community in the state to reconstruct an ancient mosque in Makurdi.
Governor Suswam in his response, appreciated the visit and concern of the monarch to the state in ensuring peace between the Tiv farmers and Fulani herdsmen, stating that the traditional ruler had always proffered solutions to arrest the incessant clashes.
Suswam assured that his administration would continue to create enabling environment for the people of the state and visitors alike  irrespective of their religious an tribal inclination.
The governor however seized the opportunity to appeal to the emirs and other traditional rulers in attendance to strive hard to halt the activities of the dreaded Boko Haram sects which he said has destroyed the entity called north.
According to him, ‘am using this occasion to call on all my fathers, the emirs, Tor Tiv, and other traditional rulers here to frankly address the activities of this Boko Haram which has not only destroyed the structure of the region but has also bastardized the economic and political status of this region’.

”Before now, the north was seen as a region of people of peace, integrity and honesty but came we say the same today? We must all stand up to tackle this issue in order to restore sanity in this part of the country”, Suswam said.
Among those who accompanied the Sultan to Makurdi, include; Emirs of Laafia, Gomber and other traditonal rulers from the northern part of the country including the governor of Nasarawa state Alh. Al Makura.