Edo to open a register for northerners — after Ekpoma killing

The Edo government has disclosed its plans to create a database for northern settlers in the state.

Godwin Obaseki, governor of the state, revealed this on Friday when he received leaders of the Arewa community in his state.

Obaseki said this would check the attacks by suspected herdsmen.

On Wednesday, suspected herdsmen raped and killed a pregnant woman in Ekpoma, Esan south-west local government area of the state.

The incident happened few weeks after two women were killed by suspected herdsmen in Ewu.

Obaseki said the initiative would allow the identification of strange persons within the domain.

He urged the Arewa community in the state to embrace the diversity which exists in Nigeria.

“To check mate the ugly trend,  a committee will be set up to carry out community-by-community delineation of northern settlers across the state to help identify new comers and their aims,” Obaseki said.

On the issue of grazing, he said fenced grazing areas with watering facilities would be clearly defined by government for herdsmen to feed their cattle with payment of economic fees for services rendered.

Earlier, Umar, president of the group appreciated the governor for breaking fast with them and said the Arewa community was unhappy with recent attacks.

He pledged to support government in identifying and dealing with bad elements amongst the herdsmen.