Communal clash: Nasarawa lawmaker urges parties to sheath sword, embrace peace
A lawmaker in the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Mr Mohammed Okpoku, has urged the people of Odeni Gida community to remain calm and embrace peace for the overall development of the area.
Okpoku, the member representing Udege/Loko Constituency in assembly, made the call during a peace and security meeting in Udege, Nasarawa Local Government Area of the State.
The lawmaker said that the meeting was called as a result of a land dispute that had degenerated into a communal clash at Odeni Gida in his constituency on Sunday.
Okpoku expressed dismay over the number of lives lost and properties worth millions of Naira destroyed as a result of the land dispute in the area.
He said that no society or nation could develop in an atmosphere of rancour and confusion, hence the need for the aggrieved parties to embrace peace and tolerate one another.
“Please, I beg all of you to sheath your swords; tolerate one another and embrace peace.
“No community, nation, or society will achieve meaningful progress and development without unity and peace.
“Look at the level of loss of lives, houses, and other properties worth millions of naira were destroyed, it is unfortunate and uncalled for.
“I condemn the act in its entirety, especially now that His Excellency, Gov. Abdullahi Sule is up and doing in promoting peace and security as well developing the state,” he said.
Okpoku urged the people of the area and other people of his constituency to always report their grievances to the appropriate authorities.
The lawmaker gave assurances of the state government’s commitment to ensure that normalcy returned to the community.
Also speaking, the Executive Chairman, Nasarawa Local Government Area, Mr Sani Ottos and Overseer, Udege Development Area, Mr Salihu Adamu among other stakeholders and traditional leaders, urged the people of the area to embrace peace at all times.
They also called on the people of the community to eschew all forms of bitterness for the overall development of the area and the state at large.