Disarm the herdsmen

DISARM THE HERDSMEN        

 By: Ayoola Imran | Oyo State

Nigeria as a blessed country is facing many troubles that are hindering its development. The late Literary Iroko and master story teller, Professor Chinua Achebe, in his book titled 'The trouble with Nigeria' insists that the trouble with Nigeria ‘is simply and squarely failure of leadership’. Failure of our leaders to provide good governance; secure the lives of its citizens and protect their properties has become a major threat in the country. 

Evil prevails when men and women of goodwill remain silent in the time of conflict. The Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka once said, 'The man dies in him who keeps silent in the face of tyranny.' Also, Mandelstam stated that, 'Silence is the real crime against humanity'.

When the Boko Haram bloodshed happened under the previous PDP Government, many condemnation and hullabaloo generated on the social media but when the herdsmen terrorism emerge, only few speak against that. Where are those that speak against Ife-Massarce because their kinsmen were tortured? Why are they silent when the herdsmen have become the second Boko Haram in our fatherland? What happen to their pens that it can bleed and speak for the voiceless?

Gone are those days when the Fulani cattle rearers carried out their rearing duties peacefully but the reverse is the case today. Those who were famously known as itinerant people; who parade their cattle with sticks and a bottle of water and knife hung on their shoulders have become sophisticated weapon carriers today.

Consequently, the herdsmen perpetrated heinous and devilish acts. The herdsmen had terrorized and are still terrorizing the country. However, they waged several attacks especially in Southern Kaduna, the middle belt and further to the south. The incessant herdsmen-farmers clashes have led to the deaths of thousands and wanton destruction of properties worth of billions. In addition to that, the herdsmen have maimed thousands and raped their women and girls.

According to the Global Terrorism Index 2015 report, 'Fulani militants' killed 1,229 people in 2014...up from 63 in 2013... Making them the 'fourth most deadly terrorist group' in the world. The Guardian reported on 2nd April, 2017 that, 'Attack by Fulani Herdsmen has left not less than 10 people dead and over 3,500 rendered homeless in Obio Usiere, Eniong Abatim, Odukapni local government council of Cross River State.' The police reports insisted that only one person was killed. Even though it's one or many, crime is crime!

The Guardian reported on 4th April, 2017 that, 'Fulani gunmen yesterday invaded Ikyoawen in Moor District and Diiv as well as Alaba villages of Nzaav council wards all in Turan, Kwande local councils of Benue state killed 15 persons and destroyed houses. An eyewitness, who pleaded anonymity, told The Guardian that the marauders first invaded Ikyoawen in Moor District on Sunday and killed four persons and later went to Nzaav District yesterday where they killed 11 persons.' I'm aghast because the herdsmen have made life miserable for the Benue people.

The advent of the APC government, made the Benues not to know peace not alone to enjoy it. The Punch reported on Saturday April 1, 2017, that, 'Some women and youths of Umuoba Anam in Anambra state on Thursday protested nude over the presence of herdsmen in their community. The protesters alleged that the presence of the herdsmen in their community had caused them untold hardship. Leader of the women, Agnes Chiazo, said, "These herdsmen destroy our livelihood, our marriages as the rape some women who go to farm. Some of such women are being stigmatized in their different families. So, we are saying enough of this." Protesting nude publicly is taboo in African culture and none of our religions entertain that. But those people were pushed to the wall to do so. They did that to show their grievances on the nefarious activities of the herdsmen in their land.

The failure of the Federal Government to act promptly and effectively on the diabolical activities of the herdsmen made it escalated and deteriorated. However, this wickedness and inhuman act must stop! Given focus to the Agriculture, how can it be diversified when those gunmen are destroying the farm produce? How will those local farmers go to farm when they know that their lives are unsecured? How will the revenue be generated when those bloodthirsty are busy destroying farm produce? Who will buy perished farm produce for consumption?

The APC ruling party should know as a matter of fact, that fellow Nigerians voted out Previous government of PDP because of its negligence and inefficacious to handle the Boko Haram. The federal government should rise up and stop treating the herdsmen as sacred cows. As a matter of urgency, the federal government should disarm the herdsmen and beef up the security in the country.

The perpetrators of that crime should be apprehended and made to face the full wrath of law. The same mechanism and suppression used to subdued the Boko Haram should equally be applied to those herdsmen. Ranches area should be created for the herdsmen. The Miyyetin Allah Cattle Breed Association (MACBAN) should call their kinsmen to order for peace to reign.

Ayoola Imran writes via: ihassan896@gmail.com