Nigeria: Rape, Maiming and Killings by Fulani Herdsmen, and Inaction of Buhari and his Security Agen

Photo Credit: Vanguard Nigeria / Public Domain

When the western world mentions terrorism in Africa today, we immediately think of Boko Haram, Al shabb and sects like these. However, on the other hand, the farmers in southern Nigeria also think of Fulani herdsmen who have constantly and persistently within the past seven years raped their women and young girls, and forcibly grazed on their farms, destroyed their crops and physically attacked and killed many of them anytime they resisted their invasion. Fulani herdsmen are semi-nomadic pastoral ethnic group; they are of the Fula people who also exist in other West African countries.

In Nigeria, the Fulani Herdsmen are all from the North and are terrorists to the southern and Middle belt states of Nigeria. In fact, in 2015, the Global Terrorism Index named Nigerian Fulani herdsmen (also regarded as militants) as fourth deadliest terror group in world. Villages like Agatu in Benue State have been wiped out by these Fulani herdsmen, their actions have terrorized states and caused some (Ekitti state) to outlaw grazing. This decision taken by at least one state, Ekiti in Nigeria, is because, in the words of the Governor of Ekiti state “the federal government (under former dictator and now Presiden, General Muhammadu Buhari) has refused to comment or take action.’’

Within the past two years, the atrocities of the Fulani herdsmen have become more violent and carried more bloodshed than ever before. Thousands of farmers have been killed, thousands maimed and thousands raped. It wasn’t until late April 2016 that Muhammadu Buhari commented and gave instructions for security forces to react to the killings. This came after serious bashing from the media, well known figures (Wole Soyinka) and the brutal massacre of 46 Ukpabi, Nimbo in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu state Natives earlier the same month and year. It should be noted that incidents had occurred across the country in well over six states (plateau, Nassarawa, Adamawa, Ekitti, Enugu, Benue) without any comment from the President. This acquiescence towards these numerous reports made the Fulani Herdsmen comfortable and more confident in their claim in seizing the land of farmers and trampling on their rights.

Recent days haven’t seen much of an improvement from the security agencies under the president’s stewardship because the atrocities still persist. Reports from local news media still carry incidents of Fulani herdsmen killings as recent as on the 10th of August 2016, in Kaduna state, where 13 Christians were killed. Majority of the Fulani herdsmen alleged to have committed criminal offences including murders, are yet to be arrested, prosecuted or jailed. There have been sporadic and unsubstantiated reports of a couple of the Fulani herdsmen who have been arrested. No one really knows if these are factual arrests or simply information published to calm suspicions of coercion by the government and its so-called security agencies.

Talking and giving instructions is evidently not enough. The same measures and ground game taken to tackle Boko Haram should be embarked in this situation. These herdsmen are terrorists and are hitting the farmers where it matters most. The current displacements and carnage will have a ripple effect on the economy. The amount of hands engaged in food production is reduced and crops are destroyed. This will definitely have a role to play in the recent food price hikes.

The inaction by the president and the security agencies under him questions his inaugural speech when he said “I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody.” Is this inaction caused by the fact that he has close ties to the Fulani community? Can we genuinely conclude that he is unbiased and would react same way if the farmers were the ones attacking the herdsmen?

General Muhammadu Buhari, a Fulani herdsman, is an ardent supporter of Fulani herdsmen. He is also a life patron of the Myetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), an association that supports Fulani herdsmen and their activities.

References

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/05/read-president-buhari-inaugural-speech/

http://morningstarnews.org/2016/08/at-least-13-christians-killed-in-muslim-fulani-herdsmen-attacks-in-kaduna-state-nigeria/

http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/202545-buhari-breaks-silence-orders-herdsmen-brought-justice.html

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/04/fulani-herdsmen-killings-soyinka-slams-buhari/

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/04/i-alerted-security-operatives-before-fulani-herdsmen-attack-says-ugwuanyi/

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/05/ekiti-killings-fayose-bans-cattle-grazing-says-cattle-farmers-must-own-ranches/

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/05/lets-tighten-borders-stop-illegal-grazing-atrocities/

__________________________________________

Ernie J. Burgher is a bi-lingual freelance journalist and author, and speaks English and French. Ernie writes for SitiTalkBlog.

Copyright SitiTalkBlog. All rights reserved.

SitiTalkBlog is focused primarily on Africa's socio-economic and political issues, scientific and medical topics, as well as global current issues and news. SitiTalkBlog also highlights positive entertainment as long as it has the potential to cause us to think and take positive actions. The blog is geared towards sensitizing people to take constructive actions and engineer practical solutions

Reprint and Re-distribution Permission: Any and all parts of this original article may be reproduced as long as the author and SitiTalkBlog and References and links are cited and maintained as in the original publication.

No part of the original article may be modified or used for commercial purposes, and no additional authors may be added or cited except as indicated “Ernie J. Burgher and SitiTalkBlog” in the original article.