Women protest in Ukwonyo: Fulanis, Ado leaders, Stakeholders agree on terms for enhanced security

Leaders and stakeholders in Ado Local Government as well as Fulanis resident within the area have agreed to terms that would enhance peaceful coexistence and check security concerns.

This became the outcome of a critical stakeholders meeting held yesterday in the wake of protests in Ukwonyo District of the Local Government by the Ado indigenous women.

The women had days ago taken to the street to protest the sufferings caused them by activities of criminal elements within the area to wit; rape, unprovoked attacked and kidnappings which made it impossible for them to attend their farms and meet their family daily needs. It took the timely and Passionate intervention of the Ado Chairman, Comrade James Oche to talk the embittered women into leaving the streets.

Consequently, the Chairman who had promised the women that a meeting would be convened to address the situation yesterday summoned stakeholders, Fulanis, women representatives and security agencies to an emergency meeting.

Speaking at the event, the chairman appreciated the women and all present for the timely response and said conscious efforts had to be made to permanently put the lingering issues to rest.

In separate but similar remarks, Jerry Adamu the State Secretary of Miyetti Allah and Alhaji Ibro, the Leader of Ado Fulanis said the concerns of the women were real and said they would cooperate with the people and leadership of the Local Government to bring peace, stating further that some of the insecurity was brewed by outsiders in other to create discord between the Fualnis and Adolites. They promised to personally move against any such person including even the Fulanis that would want to create problems for them.

It was further agreed by all present that, the anti open grazing law of Benue State would be upheld and respected and that all Fulanis and their families within the area would be registered with the Ward Heads and must be known. Further more, that anyone who causes destruction will be held responsible, even as all agreed to work collectively in the interest of peace and development.

Present and prominent with contributions at the meeting were: the vice chairman of the local government Hon Solomon Aboh, the Oleng Nwe of Ufia, the Redu II of Ukwonyo, Asp Lawrence Okpu Edeh (rtd), Women Leaders Esther Odoo and Charity Ikpaa, Ado DPO Bulama Usman, Commander of Operation Whirlstroke Lt. G.O Ndubuka, stakeholders, elders and traditional leaders as well as members of the Ado Executive and Legislative Councils.