Stakeholders in Benue State on Thursday met under the auspices of Peace Architecture Dialogue, PAD, a forum put together by an International Non-Governmental Organization, (NGO), Search For Common Ground, where they advocated for peaceful conduct of the forth coming local government elections in Benue state.
The stakeholders called on Benue people especially youths to eschew violence before, during and after the conduct of the council polls.
The non-governmental peace group expressed readiness to partner with Benue state Independent Electoral Commission, BSIEC, on sensitization of the public on the need for a peaceful conduct of the election.
The stakeholders meeting deliberated on the activities of Search for common ground in Benue state so far and its peace initiative in transforming the farmers/herders conflicts and ensuring that peace is restored and sustained in the state.
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Earlier in an update on the security situation in the state, state Commissioner of police Garba Mukaddas, represented by his deputy, J.A Zakaria, said the police is working round the clock to maintain law and order in the state adding that a new Anti-cultism unit has been constituted to clamp down on cult related activities as well as other criminal activities in the state.
The police commissioner who solicited for useful information from members of the public to assist the police in its operations, pledged collaboration with other security agents to effectively bring crime under control.
On her part, State Coordinator of Search for Common Ground, Gift Omoniwa, said the group is suing for synergy with the Benue state house of assembly to propose the establishment of a peace commission adding that they will continue to advocate for the best possible means to resolve the farmers/herders conflict and promote peaceful co-existance.
Participants at the meeting includes traditional rulers, religious leaders, security agents, civil society organizations, legal practitioners, media among others.