HERDSMEN CRISIS: Media, public commentators worsening the situation- FG

The Federal Government has stated that the media and public commentators have created a “poisoned atmosphere” by their coverage and analysis of the herdsmen crisis through “unrestrained use of pictures and footages that offend human sensibilities as well as finger pointing”, and therefore appealed for caution.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, said the Federal Government was working hard to address the security challenge and urged the media and public commentators to exercise caution so as not to make the situation escalate.

He said, “Lest we are misunderstood, we are neither saying the media should not cover the crisis nor asking public commentators to desist from commenting on it. All we are saying is that both must be circumspect.

Read also: BENUE KILLINGS: Purveyors of fake news about Buhari are enemies of Nigeria- Presidency

“The current poisoned atmosphere of incendiary comments, unrestrained use of pictures and footages that offend human sensibilities as well as finger pointing can only exacerbate the situation and complicate ongoing efforts to end the crisis.”

Mohammed said the Federal Government was saddened by the loss of lives and the destruction of property resulting from the crisis, and recalled that Buhari, in commiserating with the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, unreservedly condemned the killings and also assured him of necessary security measures to prevent further attacks and bring the perpetrators to justice.

He said the Federal Government had also mapped out short and long-term solutions to the incessant clashes between farmers and herders, including a planned conference of stakeholders.

 

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