Eminent Nigerians urge government action against killer herdsmen

Some eminent Nigerians, at the weekend, brainstormed on the lingering crises between Fulani herdsmen and their host communities in southern part of the country, urging Federal Government not to condone threats to the nation’s unity.

Among those who participated in the special session are Chief Dele Momodu, journalist and Publisher of Ovation International; Mrs. Annkio Briggs, human and environmental rights activist; Dr. Don Pedro Obaseki, former managing director, Daar Communications Plc and president-general of Midwest Movement.

Others are Dr. Jonathan Asake, President, Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU); Comrade Delly Ajufo, coordinator, Anioma Redemption Group; Lt Col. Tony Nyiam (rtd); Dr. Sam Amadi, former chairman of Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC); Mr. Tabara Samuel, human rights activist and Afenifere spokesman, Mr. Yinka Odumakin.

In a zoom conference, they suggested ways to address the menace of herders. The conference, which was organised by Njenje Media and moderated by its Chief Executive Officer, Maazi Tochukwu Ezeoke, discussed “Killer herdsmen invasion of Southern Nigeria and the Middle-Belt region, causes and solutions.”

Obaseki suggested that a formal platform be organised for all federating units in the country to either sign for continuity or exit. “Moreso, the rogue document presented as a constitution must be taken down,” he said.

Momodu expressed regret that “Nigerian government has handled with kid gloves the terrorising killer herdsmen mostly in their open and unlawful possession of arms.” He urged government to urgently disarm the herdsmen.

He also noted that northern Muslims have enjoyed more privileges than their southern Christian counterparts, authenticating widespread rumour that Federal Government intends to “Fulanise” Nigeria.

To Ajufo, review of the nation’s constitution is sacrosanct and it must provide for an exit clause. Other speakers like Briggs, Asake, Amadi and Samuel affirmed that for a new Nigeria to emerge, forming a synergy is paramount by all federating units. He said every effort to supplant and change demographics or displace other indigenous people, either by commission or omission, must be avoided.

The participants pleaded with government to rev up measures to stop incessant attack of the killer herdsmen on southerners.

“Our women must return to their farmlands, our rural young girls should not live in fear, and above all, Nigerians should not be lured into resorting to self defence, which has given rise to security groups such as Eastern Security Network and Amotekun,” Briggs counseled.