There are signs that insecurity in the country rather than abate is assuming an ugly dimension. With each passing day security situation in Nigeria has become a case on day one trouble. The series of the Fulani herdsmen menace which has spread in the South West over time and assuming a disturbing dimension since last week has added tremendously to the challenge of insecurity.
The spate of rising insecurity in the land has left many Nigerians quite unsure of the next moment and living life with fear especially in the north. The consequences of insecurity as we have at present have grave implication for development of any nation or group. Nigeria is not an exception.
What has shocked many Nigerians including those in the diaspora is the manner the authorities have carried on in the matter of insecurities leading many to conclude that there is indeed no government. This is unfortunate. In truth the serial killings witnessed every now and then without resistance puts to question if anyone is indeed in charge.
The issue of the menace of Fulani cattle herders in the country is very well known all over Nigeria given the manner of impunity with which they operate in the country as the landlords of the nation. We are yet to forget the mayhem the herders have left in the sands of time as they asserted their stronghold in the middle belt.
The loss of lives and the economic devastation is unquantifiable at the time. The story is not any different in other parts of the north where the Southern Kaduna has suffered series of unquantifiable attacks which have taken many lives. Surprisingly the government has no solution as the violence keeps breaking out intermittently.
The South East region is also not spared the orgy of violence. Shortly after assumption of office, in 2016 part of the farms in Ukpabi Nimbo area of Uzo Uwani local government area was invaded by Fulani herdsmen leading to the untimely killing of over 20 persons. The outrage resulting from the incident did not deter the killer herds’ men from allegedly killing a Catholic priest in cold blood.
Farming in parts of Enugu has become a big issue and parts of South East are not also spared the orgy of violence. It was part of the reason that compelled the Nnnamdi Kanu Eastern Security network to smoke out the Fulani herders hiding in Ebonyi forests, a situation that pitched them against Gov Dave Umahi
The violence shifted to the South West where every part now appears engulfed. The region is suddenly charged and keeping people on edge. A couple of years back, former Secretary to the Federation and the Presidential candidate of the Action Congress, Chief Olu Falae was serially attacked in his farm with damages to his farm products.
This was later in addition to other pockets of incidents climaxed with the killing of the daughter of a Yoruba chieftain, Fasoranti. All of these incidents were clearly avoidable, unwarranted and provocative. So much restrain over reprisal attacks has been maintained until recently when the citizens of the South West appear terribly discomforted and are now raising questions.
In the recent uprising in the South West, the herders had blown away the jaws and fingers of a woman in Ogun in an attack. There is also a report by the Ibarapa monarch in Oyo on how the herders have been kidnapping, killing and raping his people. The attack on the Fulani traditional head in Ondo State seem to speak that things have hit the zenith. This is further confirmed by the effort of the government of that state to ask the Fulani residents to formalize their stay through a registration process and to quit the forest or leave the state.
News Echo frowns at the federal government’s response on the series of incidents. The body language of the government according to political watchers seems to promote and encourage the activities of the Fulani herdsmen. This is condemnable and requires the urgent halt by the federal government before the state slides further.
Every region it is now known is poised to call of the Fulani bluff which represents an insignificant size of the Nigerian population. We call on President Muhammadu Buhari to personally intervene and halt the drift. The Fulani herders became more daring and bold, making confrontational statements since his regime emerged. This country has had enough blood letting and we cannot afford another pogrom.
