Worried by possible conflict posed by the activities of Fulani herdsmen in the State, Cross River Government is setting up a Herdsmen Management Committee to foster a healthy relationship between the herdsmen and their host communities as well as forestall any breakdown of law and order.
This was the outcome of the weekly State Security Council meeting held in the Conference Room of the Governor’s Office, Calabar and presided over by Governor Ben Ayade.
Speaking to newsmen shortly after the meeting which was attended by the Deputy Governor, Professor Ivara Esu; State Security Adviser, Mr. Jude Ngaji, State Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Fubara Duke said: “We have concluded arrangement to set up Herdsmen Management Committee to, amongst other things, foster healthier relationship between herdsmen and host communities.”
Duke also hinted: “The Governor has assured that the State will not banish herdsmen from coming to do business in the state but will always encourage them to go about their lawful business.
Duke, while dismissing media reports about the herdsmen’s killing in the State, said: “Let me assure that His Excellency and the entire Security Council took serious exceptions to some stories that made headlines in some sections of the media in the country about the carnage. It was untrue and we use this medium to admonish journalists to always verify their facts by calling on any of the service commanders for briefs before going to press.”
According to him, “His Excellency made it clear that Cross River State is not a hostile state, and urged visitors who are visiting the State for any form of business to go about such legitimate affairs without any form of harassment or attack on the citizenry.”

Friday Nwagbara, Calabar