The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, MACBAN, has said it would ensure the return of peaceful coexistence between herders and farmers in Benue State.

Chairman of MACBAN in Nasarawa State, Alhaji Mohammed Useni made the disclosure during a meeting initiated by the governors of Benue and Nasarawa States in Yelewata, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.

armed turkana herdsmen guard their livestock at a watering hole at picture id57104283 1 — TURKANA, KENYA: TO GO WITH AFP STORY Armed Turkana herdsmen guard their livestock at a watering hole at Oropoyi, in Kenya’s north western district of Turkana 03 March 2006. Armed raids and cattle rustling have intensified between communities in the area over water and pasture sites common to communities in Uganda, Kenya, Sudan and Ethiopia following a prolonged dry spell that has intensified competition among the communities that occassionally lead to armed confrontations and even fatalities. AFP PHOTO/TONY KARUMBA (Photo credit should read TONY KARUMBA/AFP/Getty Images)

Useni blamed the persistent crisis between herders and farmers in Benue State on criminal elements.

He also called on both governors to come up with plans on how to resolve the crisis at the border areas between both states.

According to Useni, ensuring peace would bring about development in both states.

Useni said: “We the members of MACBAN will assist to see that there is peace. Any good leader will not like problem or crisis. We are supporting the governors so that they will bring developments to our people.

“We urge them to look for a way so that we solve this problem in the border areas. I am going to bring a solution and by the grace of God we will have peace in the border areas of Nasarawa and Benue States.

“We know that there were lots of killings last week and upper week especially in the borders communities. We are accusing the criminal elements for being responsible for this.”