KILLINGS BY HERDSMEN: Stung by criticisms Presidency reels out list of what it has done

Apparently in response to the barrage of attacks that has trailed its claim that no less than 756 persons were killed by herdsmen during former President Goodluck Jonathan’s government, the presidency has listed efforts the Muhammadu Buhari government has made to bring the current killings by suspected herdsmen to a stop.

Many Nigerians had lambasted Buhari’s government for referring to how herdsmen’s killing predated this administration at a time he was expected to decisively take action to end the ongoing killings by Fulani herdsmen in Benue and other states in the country.

But responding in a statement released through the Presidency Media Office, the Federal Government listed some of the interventions it had made to bring to an end the killings in Benue and Taraba states.

The list noted that “President Buhari has met with the governor of Benue State on the matter, to assure him of the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting farmers and communities.

“President Buhari has directed the Inspector General of Police to relocate to Benue State.

“On Monday January 8, 2018, the Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau, convened a security meeting on the issue, bringing together federal and state government officials: Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Heads of security agencies, and the governors of the most affected states: Adamawa, Benue, Kaduna, Nasarawa, and Taraba.

“On Wednesday January 10, 2018, the IG held a Stakeholders engagement with the Benue State Government, elders, community, religious and traditional leaders etc

“Since the first week of January, immediately following the January 1 attacks, the Inspector General of Police has deployed the following to the affected areas: Ten (10) Units of PMF; Police Special Forces; Counter Terrorism Units; Conventional Policemen; Police Explosive Ordinance Department (EOD); Special Police Joint Intelligence and Investigation Teams; Police Aerial Surveillance Teams (Police Helicopters).

“The Nigerian Army has deployed Special Forces to Benue, Taraba, and Nasarawa states.

“In Benue State, eight suspected herdsmen are in police custody over the recent killings, and are currently being prosecuted.

“The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is working to establish cattle colonies across the country, in 2018. These colonies will provide grass and water for the cattle, and education and healthcare facilities for herders. They will also have Agro-Rangers deployed to secure the facilities.”

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The presidency meanwhile insisted that the insinuations and allegations that the attacks and killings are happening because President Buhari is Fulani are both unkind and incorrect.

For those criticising it for making reference to the past events, the presidency said, “This historical context is important for a proper understanding of the issue, and to avoid unnecessarily politicizing what should be regarded and dealt with as acts of criminality. These attacks have been a longstanding issue, and successive governments have struggled to contain the situation.”

It added that the Buhari administration was more than fully committed to bringing the cycle of violence to an end, prosecuting the attackers, and preventing further killings and attacks.

“The security agencies have standing instructions to arrest and prosecute any and all persons found with illegal arms,” it added.

Meanwhile, the governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom also on Thursday stated at a mass burial of victims, that the killings by herdsmen in the state, is a well planned and funded attack on the state to annihilate the indigenes.

 

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