Makurdi — Following the bloody conflict between Idoma farmers and Fulani herdsmen which claimed three lives weekend in Otukpo, the Benue State Police Command has drafted policemen to the troubled communities to check further escalation of the crisis.

State Police Commissioner, Mr. Christopher Katso, who spoke yesterday after undertaking an on-the-spot assessment of the situation said, "I have dispatched my men to the troubled spot to ensure that the crisis is effectively checked through cessation of hostilities and further loss of innocent lives and property.

Meantime, I have also held peace meetings with the affected people including, the Chief (Ardoo) of the Fulanis and the Idoma communities where all the parties agreed to cease fire and allow peace to reign.

I have urged the feuding parties to identify the masterminds of the crisis with a view to ensuring that they are all arrested and brought to justice."

Katso further said that the Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Council, Mr. Innocent Onuh, also assured that he would reach out to the internally displaced persons with relief materials to alleviate their sufferings and urged the feuding parties not to take laws into their hands as anyone caught trying to escalate the already tensed situation would be apprehended.

Crisis broke out between Idoma farmers and the Fulani herdsmen at Amla village in the area, leading to the death of three persons as well as the destruction of various farm produce and cattle.