By Ummi Ismaeel,
Minna
Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) has donated relief materials worth N13 million and N5 million cash to the victims of the recent communal clash between Gbagyi (Gwari) farmers and Fulani herdsmen at Bar’kuta village in Bosso Local Government Area of the state.
Governor Sani Bello, represented by the state Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, Alhaji Mamman Musa Bosso, presentated the items to the victims at Bar’Kuta village.
The relief materials included building materials – 1, 200 bags of cement, 100 bundles of roofing sheets, 50 bags of zinc nails and 50 bags of three and half inches nails – were given to the 301 victims. Governor Bello said that the gesture was to enable them start life afresh.
Other relief materials to the victims are 120 bags of rice, 200 bags of maize, 200 bundles of assorted clothing materials, assorted types of cooking oil and cash gifts per victim depending on the extent of loses each incurred during the attack.
Present at the occasion which was well attended by sympathizers were the village Head of Bar’Kuta, Alhaji Mohammed Maigarin, the representatives of the Gbagyi Farmers and their Fulanis counterparts, representatives of Igbo community in the area, Henry Ezeagu and Simeon Obeyan, both proprietors of patient medicine store and general goods.
Bello commiserated with the people over both human and material losses during the communal clash which claimed about 11 lives and properties and urged the people to live in peace with one another.
Bello said, “Niger State is big enough for all of us. I want to specifically urge the Gbagyi and the Fulani herdsmen to give peace a chance, embrace one another and forgive one another in the interest of all”.
While reminding them of the dangers in taking laws into their hands, the governor advised them against resorting to violence, adding that “whenever there are disagreements between them the best thing to do is to report to law enforcement agencies.”
Governor Bello who said that he was not unaware of the influx of people, including those with evil intentions, enjoined them to be vigilant and report any suspicious movements about trouble makers in the community to the police.
The Director General, Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) congratulated both the Gbagyis and their counterparts, Fulani herdsmen, for the ability to put the ugly incidence behind them and for coming together again to live in the community as one family.
He reminded them of the need to tolerate one another, adding that, no meaningful growth and development can take place in the community if they fail to give peace a chance as well as co-operating with each other in the interest of all concerned.
Also, the village Head of Bar’kuta community, Alhaji Mohammed Maigarin, expressed gratitude to Governor Bello for intervening.
