Gov. Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa State says his administration has adopted a three-pronged measure to end the incessant violent communal clashes in the state.

Al-Makura stated this on Wednesday when the Northern Governors' Forum committee on Killing, Reconciliation, Peace and Security, paid him a courtesy visit at Government House, Lafia.

He said that emphasis had been placed on religious tolerance in order to guarantee freedom of worship of all citizens without inhibition.

He also explained that community and opinion leaders were co-opted to help stem the tide of violent clashes in the state as part of the community-Based conflict resolution initiative of the state government.

"We believe that these people have the capacity to influence members of their various communities, especially the youth.

"So if we can get them to sensitise their people and appeal to their consciences and psyche, we would be able to achieve our objective of restoring peace in Nasarawa State," he said.

Al-Makura noted that a grazing reserve and cattle route committee had been constituted to adjudicate in cases of disputes between farmers and herdsmen with a view to resolving their differences amicably.

While thanking the committee for the visit, Al-Makura maintained that his administration would not rest on its oars as it would explore all avenues to bring lasting solution to the security challenges facing the state.

Earlier, the chairman of the committee, AVM Muktah Mohammed (rtd.) said the committee was set up by the Northern Governors' Forum in August 2012 to look into all ramifications of crises in the region with a view to proffering solutions.

He said that the committee was in the state to commiserate with the government and people of the state on the recent crises that led to the killing of people and destruction of property.

Mohammed said that the committee was mandated to ensure reconciliation, and to assist the state government by ensuring that the warring parties were brought together to dialogue, as well as find lasting solutions.

"We are of the belief it is always better to 'jaw-jaw than to war-war'; this is why we always emphasis peaceful resolution through dialogue and reconciliation instead of the use of force," Mohammed said. NAN