From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi
As a measure to curb the incessant clashes between Tiv farmers and Fulani herdsmen, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has commenced aerial surveillance of Makurdi and its environs.
Air Officer Commanding (AOC) Tactical Air Command (TAC), Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Umar Omeiza who disclosed this yesterday, explained that the aerial surveillance was to afford security operatives the opportunity of having a comprehensive aerial view of the environment in order to mobilize and effectively secure the lives and property of the Benue people.
Omeiza said the exercise was a directive from the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu to seek solution to the lingering herdsmen /farmers’ crisis.
“We don’t want to wait until the problem becomes very massive like what we have today in the north-eastern part of the country before we act. That is why we have brought the Augusta 109 helicopter for the aerial surveillance of Makurdi and its environs”, he said.
The AOC maintained that the surveillance team would concentrate around the riverine areas where the clashes between the cattle herders and the farmers always starts from, intimating that they has brought in experts who would study the situation with a view to finding lasting solution to it.
Omeiza assured the people of the state of their safety, adding that the Augusta 109 helicopter marked NAF 571 would keep surveying the whole of Makurdi and its environs and urged them to go about their lawful businesses without fear.
Meanwhile, there was reported heavy exchange of gun fire early hours of yesterday in Agasha, Guma local government area between Tiv youths/ Fulani which according to the Police spokesman, SP Daniel Ezeala was brought under control by the police, maintaining that there were no deaths recorded.
