A task force to check clashes between farmers and herdsmen in Taraba State has been deployed by the Federal Government.

The task force, comprising senior military officers, is to tour crisis-ridden areas in the state to determine the possibility of a full fledged military operation to tackle the wanton destruction of lives and property.

Commissioner for Information and Re-orientation, Anthony Danburam, made this known in Jalingo, at a peace and reconciliation meeting for residents of Lau Council Area, in connection with the recent farmers /herdsmen clashes in the area.

He said the state and the Federal Governments were worried by the spate of the crises which initially had political and ethnic undertones, but now seemed to be taking a religious dimension.

Danburam said the meeting was called by Governor Darius Ishaku to restore confidence and trust among the multi-ethnic groups in Lau, and to collectively find a lasting solution to the problem.

He said the meeting was not called for “blame game because every ethnic group is to be blamed and every ethnic group is a victim”.

In his contribution, Senior Special Adviser to the governor on Millennium Development Goals, Alfred Kobiba, urged the Lau people to give peace a chance.

Kobiba advised the people of the area to imbibe the spirit of tolerance in all their dealings and avoid bloodletting in the slightest provocation.

North-East Zonal Chairman, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, Mafindi Danburam, said the crisis between Fulani and Mumuye was unfortunate given their 201 years of peaceful coexistence.

Mafindi urged the Mumuyes and Fulanis to put their heads together and come up with a comprehensive recommendation for sustainable peace and development in the area.

Yunana Kinkan, the representative of Mumuye farmers, said his people were committed to a genuine peace process with the herdsmen, urging the general public to report to him any Mumuye found causing disharmony for necessary action.

Umaru Umaru, the Muslim Council Chairman for Lau, noted that the crises were initially between a farmer and a herder, only for it to be turned religious by some desperate politicians.

Reverend Sunday Patrick, the Lau Christian Association of Nigeria,CAN, Chairman, said the crisis was “influenced by Satan”, stressing that only peaceful coexistence could guarantee development.

Ten people died in the Jan. 31 crisis that began in Lushi village and escalated to other parts of Lau.