The Nation Newspaper

Tag: herdsmen’s killings

  • Maharaji to Buhari: deal with herdsmen’s killings decisively

    Founder of One Love Family, Sat Guru Maharaj Ji has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to deal decisively with herdsmen’s attacks on innocent lives across the country.

    This, he said, as will affirm his sincerity to lead a united Nigeria.

    Maharaj Ji spoke at the journalists’ hangout last week at the Sat Guru Maharaj ji village Rogo, Lagos.

    He lamented the Armed Forces adjudged to have done credibly well in other parts of the world have not been able to stop and deal decisively with the continuous killings of by armed herdsmen across the country.

    He noted the current developments in Sudan, South Sudan, Burundi, Libya and other war- torn countries are indicators nobody benefits from conflicts.

    He tasked the federal government to build bridge of love as against hate and peace as against conflicts.

    Maharaj Ji, who commended the federal government’s efforts on anti-corruption, said that the killings in part of the country especially by armed headsmen, if not checked, will be a dent on the image of the current administration for life.

    According to him: “The roles our Army played in parts of Africa, especially against apartheid in South Africa without bloodshed is commendable but things have changed today.

    “We hear of ethnic cleansing, smuggling of fire arms and weapons into the country, herdsmen and farmer crises. It has to be checked and addressed urgently and in a transparent manner.”

    He added: “I expect the army to have moved against the herdsmen with the same firmness it employed against Nnamdi Kanu and his fellow pro-Biafra agitators.

    “I am not a supporter of breakup but the government must be seen to be fair and just to all groups, otherwise they would be chaos.”

     

  • Maharaji to Buhari: deal with herdsmen’s killings

    Founder of One Love Family, Sat Guru Maharaj Ji has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to deal decisively with herdsmen’s attacks on innocent lives across the country.

    This, he said, as will affirm his sincerity to lead a united Nigeria.

    Maharaj Ji spoke at the journalists’ hangout last week at the Sat Guru Maharaj ji village Rogo, Lagos.

    He lamented the Armed Forces adjudged to have done credibly well in other parts of the world have not been able to stop and deal decisively with the continuous killings of by armed herdsmen across the country.

    He noted the current developments in Sudan, South Sudan, Burundi, Libya and other war- torn countries are indicators nobody benefits from conflicts.

    He tasked the federal government to build bridge of love as against hate and peace as against conflicts.

    Maharaj Ji, who commended the federal government’s efforts on anti-corruption, said that the killings in part of the country especially by armed headsmen, if not checked, will be a dent on the image of the current administration for life.

    According to him: “The roles our Army played in parts of Africa, especially against apartheid in South Africa without bloodshed is commendable but things have changed today.

    “We hear of ethnic cleansing, smuggling of fire arms and weapons into the country, herdsmen and farmer crises. It has to be checked and addressed urgently and in a transparent manner.”

    He added: “I expect the army to have moved against the herdsmen with the same firmness it employed against Nnamdi Kanu and his fellow pro-Biafra agitators.

    “I am not a supporter of breakup but the government must be seen to be fair and just to all groups, otherwise they would be chaos.”

     

  • How to end herdsmen’s killings, by ACF, Iwuanyanwu, Niger Delta leaders, others

    From many quarters yesterday came kudos for the federal government  over  its latest initiative to stem the spate of killings by herdsmen across the country.

    But it was also told to be more pro-active in dealing with threats ,real and otherwise,to the lives and property of Nigerians.

    Government,on Thursday,adopted the recommendation of the committee set up by the National Economic Council (NEC) to stop movements  by nomadic  herdsmen starting with Adamawa,Benue,Kaduna,Plateau and Taraba –states worst hit  by herdsmen-farmers clashes.

    It said focus will now be on the creation of ranches where cows and their owners can have access to all they require.

    An Igbo leader and entrepreneur,Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Secretary General of  the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Mr. Anthony N. Z Sani,Senior Advocate of Nigeria Niyi Akintola, chairman of the Itsekiri Leaders of Thought (ILoT), Chief Edward Ekpoko, and an Urhobo opinion leader, Chief Victor Otomiewo,all agreed that Nigeria has had enough of the recent bloodletting.

    They  spoke on a day the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) accused President Muhammadu Buhari of playing the ostrich by the way his government is handling the herdsmen issue.

    But Buhari for the umpteenth time declared that unity has always been his objective  and pledged to  “ continue to do everything within my powers to unite Nigeria.’’

    Chief Iwuanyanwu speaking to The Nation said: “”It is a very strange experience. Nigeria is at war considering the number of people we are losing every day.

    “I think the security agencies  need to tell Nigerians the truth about what is happening, starting from the Boko Haram menace to the issue of herdsmen.

    “Up till now, we don’t know who they are  and where they come from.  I don’t have any doubt in my mind that the problem has internal collusion .

    “I am not even sure that the people who are arrested are the perpetrators of the crime. It looks to me like a well planned operation. Many people believe there is internal collusion and Gen. T.Y. Danjuma was bold enough to say this.

    “This is a war situation and we need  to do something to help those who are suffering.

    “If we continue this way, we are going to destroy this country. The country is on the brink of collapse.

    The case of Benue is very serious  and it has suffered more than Bornu. We have the North East Development Commission that is taking  care of  Bornu. The  same should be done to Benue, Taraba, Nassarawa and Plateau.”

    In a separate interview ,the Secretary General of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Mr. Anthony N. Z Sani advised the  federal government to  meet with all the state governors , chairmen of local governments and all stake holders “with a view to coming out with how best the mindless killings could be stopped and give way for the economic activities to thrive.

    “Because of the overwhelming challenges posed by these clashes, any plans and programs of stopping the killings should include short, medium and long terms.

    “Surely, ranches are the best practices in the world, but because of the limited resources and capacity on the part of not only the pastoralists but also on the part of governments at all level, it may be necessary to approach the introduction of the ranches gradually as resources and capacity permit.

    “That is why I commend the decision by the National Economic Council to start the process of introduction of ranches in some five states now with clear understanding by governors and all the stake holders that they need to work together ensure the plans and the programs succeed for the good of all concerned.

    “This is very important because peaceful coexistence is sine qua non for any meaningful socioeconomic development.

    “All Nigerians need peace to be able to sublimate their time and energy in order for both the country and the individuals to thrive.”

    Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Niyi Akintola warned: “This problem is speeding gradually  and we don’t know where it will spread to  tomorrow.I foresee a situation where people  will confront the security agencies  weapon for weapon. We need to increase the strength of the security agencies  and build the  confidence in the people.

    “What is happening in Benue is a confirmation of the postulation of TY Danjuma.  The old man was right.

    “I am worried about the loss of confidence of the people in our security agencies. Tthe mantra now is self defence. The self defence as propagated by Gen  TY Danjuma is now getting  a wider acceptance and approval across the country. The country will need to do more on enlightenment than appealing to the people.  The government has to be proactive.”

    The youth wing of  the Igbo apex socio cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo called for “security screening, registration, and regulation of herdsmen’s activities.”

    It also asked to  herdsmen to “always allow the rule of law to prevail since we are in a democracy and the military, Police, SSS et al; should be given enough logistics and equipment to eradicate the  herdsmen menace.”

    The chairman of the Itsekiri Leaders of Thought (ILoT), Chief Edward Ekpoko, and an Urhobo opinion leader, Chief Victor Otomiewo, said government should tighten internal security.

    “I think the whole herdsmen problem goes beyond dispute over grazing areas, it’s beyond that. The killings in Benue in the last three days, in which they had to go into churches, shooting people, what has that got to do with grazing? I think the thing is just pure insecurity; our  borders are too porous, especially in the north,” Otomiewo told The Nation.

    “It is unfortunate that rather than face the real issues, people are playing politics with the lives of Nigerians. You want Buhari to solve every security problem in every corner of Nigeria, but in the meantime you have governors who are pocketing security vote every month. You have council chairmen who are pocketing security vote, nobody is asking questions about that one.

  • Herdsmen’s killings: Ali must go

    SIR: “These people are Nigerians and we must learn to live together with one another. Communities and other people must learn how to accept foreigners within their enclave!”

    Since the unguarded and insensitive response to the Benue massacre from the photogrammetry and surveyor-turned Defence Minister, Mansur Muhammad Dan Ali, I have been amused and equally bemused at the snail speed it is taking to have him relieved of his indefensible duties and redeployed to his farm in Zamfara.

    On the account of his other outburst in the infamous interview, he deserves to be the first client of the hate speech tracking the government is bound to expend resources on, while the herdsmen roam about unchecked with their evil weapons of farm destructions.

    Go, Ali must go.

     

    • Opeyemi Ajala, FCA

    opeyemiajala@yahoo.com

     

  • Don’t politicise herdsmen ’s killings – Osinbajo

    Don’t politicise herdsmen ’s killings – Osinbajo

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Sunday warned that the alleged killings by herdsmen should not be politicised.

    He said a political interpretation could ignite unprecedented crises.

    Osinbajo cautioned that under no condition should Nigerians allow anyone to create a religious crisis.

    Osinbajo sounded the warning during an inter-denominational church service to mark the 2018 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration at the National Christian Centre in Abuja.

    The vice president said due to the prevailing circumstance regarding the violence and loss of lives in parts of the country, President Buhari had ordered the police and the armed forces to deal decisively with the situation and ensure that the perpetrators were found and punished.

    He recalled that it was the politicisation of Boko Haram at the early stage of the group that gave rise to its heinous activities, and enjoined Nigerians not to fall into another trap regarding the problems associated with herdsmen.

    Osinbajo said: “We must recognise that as dangerous and as deadly and heartless as these killings are, there is also the danger of our allowing politics to play a part as this could lead to what we sometimes say “pour petrol into an already burning fire.”

    “We must not permit the politicisation of this tragedy. One of the reasons why for years Boko Haram thrived, was because of the politicisation of the insurgency.

    “There were those who are planning to benefit politically from the tragedy and they painted the opposition then as the perpetrator.”

    The Vice President continued: “Again, we see some today who want to benefit politically from the killing of women and children in Adamawa, Benue, Jos and several other places stoking the embers of ethnicity and religion.

    “By their hate speeches, they want to fix the criminal acts of the few individuals on who thrives and hold people and they would want to create a religious crisis if they are allowed.

    “Our obligation is to stop them from playing dangerous politics that could threaten our unity and stability just as we continue to enforce the peace in the troubled areas.”

    Vice President lauded the commitment and dedication of Nigerian military personnel to service, particularly the fallen heroes, stating that save for their efforts, Nigerians would not have been enjoying the peace.

    Osinbajo said: “I am especially honoured to be here today to join family and friends of our departed heroes to mark this day when we remember the incredible sacrifices that they made to fill the vacuum.

    “We have seen in the past few years how this rights have been challenged by the mindless extremism of the Boko Haram in the North East and how again our gallant military, the police and even the civilian population have risen jointly to rout these criminal combatants and restore peace to most communities in that zone.

    “We have also seen even recently the killings that have resulted from the attacks of herdsmen and farmers and communities and also where farmers and communities have attacked herdsmen.”

    “The president has also in almost daily meetings and strategic sessions with relevant security and law enforcement agencies work to find a lasting and enduring solution to this issues,” he added.

    In his sermon, Bishop of Jos Diocese Anglican Communion, Bishop Benjamin Kwashi, who represented Primate Anglican Communion, Archbishop Nicholas Oko, noted that the Armed Forces remained the only institution of hope of Nigerians.

    According to him, the Nigerian military personnel laid down their lives against the Boko Haram terrorists, against Fulani herdsmen, against kidnappers, against men and perhaps women who do not wish the country well.

    He urged Nigerians to intensify prayers for peace, unity and progress of the country, he regretted that many of the nation’s military personnel have died in line of duties in their commitment to keep the nation peaceful and safe for the citizenry.