Benue and Taraba states have set up joint military and police patrol teams to patrol the border town of Kashimbilla and other communities in the two states.
SuswamThe vehicles for the Joint patrols that would be carried out by the 72 Battalion, Makurdi, Benue State and the 93 Battalion, Takum, Taraba State as well as policemen from the two states will be provided next week.
The aim of the patrol teams is to check the clashes between farmers and herdsmen that has left communities in the two states deserted.
Benue Governor, Gabriel Suswam ,who disclosed this after a closed door meeting with Acting Governor of Taraba State, Garba Umar, warned that government would not hesitate to arrest elders and community leaders in the event of a recurrence of violence.
Suswam noted that most of the attacks that were carried out by youths were done with the consent of community leaders.
He also warned that any youth that attacks any uniform personnel would be prosecuted.
The governor however pledged that government would ensure that the military does not harass the people of the affected communities.
Government of the two states used the occasion to set a seven-man committee charged with ensuring the return of peace as well as rehabilitation of internally displaced persons (IDPs) back to their homes.