…Calls on Gov Sule to resettle displaced persons
… Attributes attack to miscreants, criminals
By Our Reporter
The Bassa Community of Toto Local Government of Nasarawa State, has condemned in strong terms the recent attack on the peaceful residents of Okudu in Umaisha District of the Toto local government.
In a statement signed by the Chairman, Bassa Cultural and Development Union (BCDU), Nasarawa State, Emmanuel M. Gbaji, the group insisted that the attack was orchestrated by criminals and miscreants who are not comfortable with the peaceful and harmonious coexistence currently being enjoyed by all residents of the area.
The Bassa Community, therefore, called on the Governor of Nasarawa State, Engr. Abdullahi Sule “to continue to provide the necessary ambience for the ongoing peace talks. We must not be distracted. We reiterate our numerous calls for the speedy resettlement of displaced persons.
“The current displacement of the Bassa Community has created large swaths of uninhabited and ungoverned spaces.
“This has allowed criminals, bandits, kidnappers and murderous groups to hide in our now empty forests and villages.
“The resettlement of the Bassa Community will deny these criminals the kind of space that allowed them to perpetrate the beastly murders that took place at OKUDU.”
The Community described as false and misleading the current twist in a section of the media, especially, the social media that the incident was as a result clash between Gbagyi and Bassa over land at OKUDU.
“This report is both misleading and mischievous. We want to make it abundantly clear that THERE IS NO CLASH between Gbagyi and Bassa over any matter whatsoever.
“The Gbagyis are the closest cultural relatives of the Bassa and we have no history or record of conflict between us. What happened at OKUDU was the work of criminals in which both Gbagyi and Bassa were victims.
“The story of a “Gbagyi-Bassa Clash” is totally false please.
“Toto Local Government has been embroiled in crisis since 1986 with violent clashes of various categories rattling the peace and tranquility of the largely agrarian community.
“After over 7 circles of crisis lasting 38 years, with each circle involving a colossal loss of lives, destruction of property and wholesale displacement of persons, the Government of Nasarawa State in 2019, created a legal vehicle that would allow the warring communities to peacefully resolve their disputes.
“Discussions have commenced and age-old disputes are being examined and re-examined in an atmosphere of brotherly dialogue.
“Then out of the blue, the grapevine was abuzz with news of faceless militants hiding in our bushes and forests. While the security agencies were monitoring the situation, we were awakened by the sound of murderous gunfire at OKUDU.
“This is undoubtedly the handiwork of the well known and well advertised opponents of the ongoing Peace Talks,” the statement explained.
The Bassa Community further reassured its neighbours that: “We remain committed to the peaceful return of the displaced Bassa Community.
“We are also committed to achieving sustainable solutions to all the outstanding disputes based on brotherly dialogue and mutual respect.”
