The question of whether or not killer Herdsmen are Nigerians
is still an open question!
Some politicians claimed that killer Herdsmen are not real Fulani Herdsmen. For instance, governor Nasir El Rufai argues that killer Herdsmen are non-Nigerian Fulanis and that they are from Niger, Mali, Chad and other neighbouring countries. The former vice-president of federal republic of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar also said that they are not Fulani at all, whether local or foreign. The issue of killer Herdsmen has become a complex problem in Nigeria, due to the weak security operation in the country.
During president Buhari’s visit to Plateau State (following the attack on some villages that led to the death of almost 100 innocent Nigerians) he said that, “the farmer knows that the Nigerian cattle herder that he knows doesn’t carry nothing more than a stick. The herder carries something to cut grass to feed his cattle. But the present herder, I am told, carries AK47 and people are even blaming me for not talking to them because maybe (they say) I look like one of them” (Channel news, June 26, 2018).
The president further condemned the media for propagating the issue of Fulani Herdsmen, and urged the media to carry out their duties responsibly and be mindful of what they report.
President Buhari should be aware of the fact that he is the president of Nigeria and the citizens have the right to blame him whenever proper security is not provided for them. The president’s statement shows his reluctance to address the issue of killings in the country. However, he condemned the latest attack in Plateau and condoled with the affected families, the government and the people of the state: wishing those injured a speedy recovery. In so doing, some Nigerians are not convinced with the argument that killer Herdsmen are not Nigerian Fulanis.
is still an open question!
Some politicians claimed that killer Herdsmen are not real Fulani Herdsmen. For instance, governor Nasir El Rufai argues that killer Herdsmen are non-Nigerian Fulanis and that they are from Niger, Mali, Chad and other neighbouring countries. The former vice-president of federal republic of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar also said that they are not Fulani at all, whether local or foreign. The issue of killer Herdsmen has become a complex problem in Nigeria, due to the weak security operation in the country.
During president Buhari’s visit to Plateau State (following the attack on some villages that led to the death of almost 100 innocent Nigerians) he said that, “the farmer knows that the Nigerian cattle herder that he knows doesn’t carry nothing more than a stick. The herder carries something to cut grass to feed his cattle. But the present herder, I am told, carries AK47 and people are even blaming me for not talking to them because maybe (they say) I look like one of them” (Channel news, June 26, 2018).
The president further condemned the media for propagating the issue of Fulani Herdsmen, and urged the media to carry out their duties responsibly and be mindful of what they report.
President Buhari should be aware of the fact that he is the president of Nigeria and the citizens have the right to blame him whenever proper security is not provided for them. The president’s statement shows his reluctance to address the issue of killings in the country. However, he condemned the latest attack in Plateau and condoled with the affected families, the government and the people of the state: wishing those injured a speedy recovery. In so doing, some Nigerians are not convinced with the argument that killer Herdsmen are not Nigerian Fulanis.
According to Vanguard News,“It is bad enough that hardly any Fulani leaders have come out to publicly condemn the activities of their [Herdsmen] but to condemn the horrendous acts and then attempt to shield the racial identity of those behind it by saying that they are not Fulani is even worse”. Living in denial will only aggravate the problem and make things worse for innocent Nigerians who are vulnerable to these attacks.
A news report, following the recent attacks in Plateau state, claims that more than 45 villages have been overturned and occupied by Fulani Herdsmen in Nigeria. It is simply a game to ensure that a cattle colony carved and the land is grabbed for grazing. This is the reason behind the killings that they are witnessing in the constituency. It is "harrowing that over 200 will be killed in cold blood” (Channel News, June, 2018).
These attacks were motivated by land grabbing for settlement. If this land grabbing statements are true, one can argue that the government is not effectually protecting the public from the menace of few Nigerians with delinquent behaviors. Whether these attackers are Fulani Herdsmen or non-Nigerians, it is the duty of the government and security agents to protect citizens from such attacks.
A news report, following the recent attacks in Plateau state, claims that more than 45 villages have been overturned and occupied by Fulani Herdsmen in Nigeria. It is simply a game to ensure that a cattle colony carved and the land is grabbed for grazing. This is the reason behind the killings that they are witnessing in the constituency. It is "harrowing that over 200 will be killed in cold blood” (Channel News, June, 2018).
These attacks were motivated by land grabbing for settlement. If this land grabbing statements are true, one can argue that the government is not effectually protecting the public from the menace of few Nigerians with delinquent behaviors. Whether these attackers are Fulani Herdsmen or non-Nigerians, it is the duty of the government and security agents to protect citizens from such attacks.
Written by Nekpen Obasogie
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