Buhari to meet Benue leaders over herders/farmers crisis

President Muhammadu Buhari will on Monday meet with Benue political, traditional and opinion leaders over the herdsmen-farmers crisis in the state.

TheCable understands that discussion at the meeting will revolve around the issue of attacks by suspected Fulani herdsmen and the alleged arming, training and financing of militia groups by state governments.

A presidency source said the meeting was convened because of the scale of the violence and also the widespread condemnation that have trailed them.

The president is also expected to seek an explanation about the arrest of some militia members who confessed to being armed by the Benue government.

The Benue government has denied sponsoring the militias.

Garba Shehu, senior special assistant to the president on media and publicity, confirmed that the meeting was on the cards but said he was yet to be briefed on the matters to be discussed.

He said the government welcomes any initiative by any group that would provide lasting solutions to be country’s security problems.

Shehu explained that security entails collective participation of all and it was better for everyone to come together to find solutions instead of trading blames.