.
The incidence between Northern Hausa Fulani and Yourbas in Ondo state has not only become a mere episode of misunderstanding between two tribes or ethnic groups but also its beginning to gather some form of religious and political undertone which makes many skeptical about the impunity and backing these herdsmen operate.
While many Nigerians are wondering why it is the same scenario and reports coming out of various regions of the country with regards to how these fulani herdsmen operate, others are trying to juxtapose the fact that none of them ie. the Fulanis, to have been prosecuted so far.
Just while these various thoughts are going on in the minds of many, the Elders Forum (NEF) recently, called on the federation President, Muhammadu Buhari and state governors to be proactive and protective towards the Fulanis by arresting and prosecuting anyone who has embarked on any form of attacks on Fulani herdsmen across Nigeria.
According to NEF, they made this request to the president insisting that those attacking law-abiding herdsmen across the country are attempting to set the country on a dangerous part. The questions however on the lips of concerned Nigerians is that, are they really law abiding? Especially with the daily news and reports heard everywhere about their nefarious activities?
Meanwhile The elders in a statement by their Director, Publicity and Advocacy, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, beckoned on the president and governors to protect herdsmen in the South while cautioning the herders against any form of retaliation.
The statement reads partly: “Northern Elders Forum is deeply worried by reports of ejections under threats and attacks on Fulani herders, families and communities in some states of the South.
“We have also advised law-abiding Fulani communities to seek protection where it is available, and have appealed to other Fulani to resist the temptation to take the law into their own hands.
“The Forum calls on President Muhammadu Buhari and State Governors to take immediate and decisive steps to protect law-abiding members of Fulani communities from killers and criminals who apparently believe that Fulani has no rights in Nigeria. It demands the immediate arrest and prosecution of persons who are attacking Fulani and setting the country on a very dangerous path.”
”Herdsmen have been attacked, their residence burnt down while their cattle slaughtered in some part of the country.
Recently, operatives of the Eastern Security Network, ESN, had chased away Fulani herdsmen while killing their cows in Isiukwuato area of Abia State.
Despite the attack, some Nigerians like Sunday Igboho and Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, had vowed to chase Fulani herdsmen out of the Southern part of Nigeria.
Meanwhile, Kanu had reiterated his 14 days ultimatum to herdsmen to vacate the Southwest.
The baffling questions that keeps ringing in the ears of concerned citizens is why is the presidency not making obvious moves and talking about the situation while it lingers on?
What are the various service chiefs and security outfit doing about these menacing and consistently ugly trends?
The earlier these issues are addressed the better for everyone because citizens do not want to sit and fold their hands and watch thongs degenerate into a more violent state of anarchy.
Hopefully various stakeholders should begin to see the need to toll the line of peaceful dialogue in resolving these issues.
Gift Joseph Okpakorese
Staff Writer
