Despite killings, wanton destructions, FG says Fulani herdsmen not terrorist

Apparently to the chagrin of some Nigerians, the Federal Government on Thursday said that Fulani herdsmen are not terrorists. It described them as mere criminals.

The comments came despite the gory tales across Nigeria, of how rampaging suspected Fulani herdsmen have killed hundreds, destroyed farmlands and raped women.

The Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, stated this while justifying the reason the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) was tagged a terrorists organization by the Federal Government.

Shehu said this during a Channels TV programme on Thursday, adding that IPOB was categorised as a terrorist organization because it had carved out a territory within Nigeria for its members.

“There is a difference between a criminal activity and a terrorist activity. Yes, some Fulani herdsmen are a criminal gang and they are being dealt with according to the law.

“But IPOB, like Boko Haram, has a territory they have carved out to themselves …as a sovereign state of its own….. They have shown the willingness to invade other neighbouring states,” he said.

Read also : FG prevails as judge declares IPOB terror group outside open court

There has been clamour across the country for the Federal Government to decisively deal with the troubling herdsmen killings and other evils in the country. Some have even called for the group to be declared a terrorist organization.

By Ebere Ndukwu …

 

 

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