The National Economic Council (NEC) was on Thursday given an interim briefing on the NEC Working Group’s assignment on herdsmen-farmers clashes.
The Bauchi State Governor, Mohammed Abubakar, told State House correspondents this at the end of a meeting of the council presided over by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The council, which was chaired by Osinbajo, had all the 36 state governors, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and some relevant ministers as members.
The Bauchi State governor said Osinbajo, who headed the NEC committee, delivered the interim briefing.
Abubakar quoted the Vice-President as saying that President Muhammadu Buhari had approved the rebuilding of communities affected by the recent clashes.
He stated that Osinbajo also said the President had approved the establishment of a committee saddled with the responsibility of deciding the modalities to be adopted in rebuilding the communities.
“The Vice-President informed the council that the President has approved the formation of a committee to look into the issue of rebuilding affected communities and providing welfare and other facilities as may be considered appropriated.
“The President has asked that the Vice-President head the committee,” the governor said.
He further quoted Osinbajo as reporting to the council that the group, which he headed, had met twice and formed a technical sub-committee chaired by the Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi.
He said the sub-committee was given the assignment of consultations with some of the affected communities, adding that the working group would give a detailed report at the end of the work of the sub-committee.
He added, “The Vice President also reported that the working group has noted the need for a joint military-police operation to manage violent outbreaks where required while also calling for more efficient intelligence gathering.
“The working group also calls for the use of the military force to flush out bandits whose activities have been linked to the clashes, as well as engagement with traditional leaders to foster peace in their communities.
“The group noted that an agro rangers corps should be trained to provide security around the ranches, livestock production centres and grazing routes.
“It also noted that the land use laws and regulations invest the states with power over land titles and use, while the Vice-President added that the Federal Government will not impose on state governments. The FG will only share templates on best practices for the conduct of livestock production and business.”
