Miyetti Allah Calls For Judicial Commission Of Inquiry Into Herdsmen/Farmers’ Clashes, Killings

January 14, 2018

National Secretary of the group, Baba Usman Ngeljarma,

A Fulani socio-cultural organisation, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN) has called for a federal judicial commission of inquiry into all the Fulani herdsmen/farmers’ clashes, resulting into killings.
“We call for a federal judicial commission of inquiry into all these killings so as to unravel the truth and the offenders.”
National Secretary of the group, Baba Usman Ngeljarma, at a news conference today, Sunday, in Abuja, also wants the government to pay compensation to the victims of all crises to reduce their level of suffering.
He also wants the Federal Government to create a Federal Ministry of Livestock Development to attend to the multidimensional needs of the industry as is obtained in many countries and the enactment of a national law to carter for the peculiar needs of pastoralists in particular and the livestock subsector in general “since the mischievous anti-open grazing laws promulgated by some states have woefully failed to address the contentious issues.”
The group leader who regretted that the festering crises between herdsmen and farmers in some communities have degenerated into dangerously intolerable level of killings, maiming and unprecedented destruction of property, said that the pastoralist community which has been the main target of the offensive has been seen as the attackers at the same time.
“This horrible accusation in both intent and purpose is meant not only to smear the image of the herdsmen as a peace-loving community, but to also allow further criminal justification to carry out total ethnic cleansing on our members, as witnessed in different parts of the country.
“Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria as the premier pastoralist body in the country, has remained in unimaginable pains on daily basis as we receive communication of gory details of attacks, maiming and destruction of our members across the country.
“For the avoidance of doubt, we totally condemn violence, in whatever form anywhere in Nigeria and by whoever. It is important to note that the pastoralist shares a long relationship with many communities in the country, as they carry out their legitimate occupation of nomadism/pastoralism; carrying along their lives, families and possessions making it impossible to foment trouble.
“Our disposition as the immediate neighbours to almost all Nigerians does not only make us vulnerable but also susceptible to baseless accusations by promoters of violence, despite us being the worst victims.
“We are however, not denying the fact that, as any other community in the country, we are also battling with misguided and criminally motivated elements who indulge in social vices and criminal activities. “However, these few miscreants do not represent the mainstream of herdsmen.”
The group leader said that their case had been worsened by long years of exclusion as the most neglected community in the country, thereby depriving them of so many things.
He said that the current situation “is fuelled by the draconian laws put in place by some state governments with the singular aim of chasing our people out of the states simply for ethnic hatred. The anti-open-grazing law in Benue, Taraba and other states is nothing more than a symbol of intolerance and do not in any way intend to solve the farmers/grazers conflict as the livestock breeders interest is neither captured in the law nor in its implementation mechanism.
“While as a body, we are not against any law that can engender peace, create societal harmony and stability, we cannot oblige any self-centred regulation with primordial sentiments based on injustice, intolerance and infringement of people’s fundamental rights. It is no longer hidden that to achieve these, some State Governments are sponsoring ethnic militia against our people, recruiting and arming locals to kill our people and rustle their livestock as seen recently in Benue and Taraba States.”
He recalled that few days ago, the media was awashed with the story of Tiv militia gang arrested in Taraba State by the Army who confessed that over 1000 of them were recruited and dangerously armed by the Benue State Government to kill the Fulani herdsmen.
He said that the activities of such criminal gangs have put Herdsmen in unbearable pains as they operate with the greatest impunity under the protection of the State Government.
Baba Usman Ngeljarma also recalled that very recently, his members lost over 1,000 people including children, women and the aged and over two million cattle to this gang.
“We are more disturbed today as this state government hides under the self created crises and blackmailing the Federal Government into releasing to them security operatives to achieve their illegal and wicked agenda on our people.
“The trend of attacks on our defenceless members by ethnic militias oiled by a deliberate profiling through coordinated media campaigns against our members, to say the least, is the worst crime against humanity.
“What started as communal clashes has since metamorphosed into a coordinated operation to exterminate our people. From the killings in Plateau State, to southern Kaduna to Benue, Taraba and Adamawa among others the story is only worsening by the day.
“Let me refresh your mind on the unprovoked attack on the Fulani communities on the Mambilla Plateau in Taraba State. The attack, which took place around June last year on the sedentary pastoralist Fulani families who have practiced the much deceitfully advocated ranching for decades left about 700 people killed, over 20,000 cattle rustled or killed with over 300 communities burnt down. In Lau, 24 Fulanis were also killed. In Numan, Adamawa State, about 82 of our women and children were slaughtered in cold blood by Bachama militias. In Kajuru, Kaduna State, 96 were killed.
“All these were committed in a span of 7 months, beginning in June 2017 to January, 2018. All the killings were done by ethnic groups who see themselves as indigenes and the Fulanis as marauders, even where the latter have been settled for nearly a hundred years. However, up till today nobody is arrested even when the perpetrators are well known to the victims. The pastoralists have been abandoned, unfortunately, to their predators.” He regretted that while they have suffered decades of neglect by the government with attendant consequences, the current national gang up against the herdsmen is not only endangering their survival as a people but also justifying action against them, no matter how crude and inhuman it is.
“After reviewing the current challenges as they affect our members we are of the humble opinion that following steps can go a long way not only in dousing tension in the country but will also go a long way in reducing the perennial conflict to the barest minimum.
1. We confirm the position of His Royal Highness the Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, that in spite of the fact that 732 of our people were killed in Mambila and 82 women and children killed in Numan and nobody was arrested. We hereby demand for the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators of these heinous crimes without further.
2. We further state that the refutal of the Emir’s position by the Taraba State Governor is merely a continuation of his desperate act of hiding the state government’s involvement and protection of the perpetrators of these acts.”
3. We wish to register our appreciation to all those who have refused to be blinded by sentiment and are standing on the path of truth and justice especially the governors of Bayelsa, Plateau, Kogi and Nasarawa states, in the face of these complicated circumstances.
4. We disassociate ourselves from any other group or individual that is out to foment trouble in the country.
5. We also welcome the Federal Government’s current resolve to address the lingering crises and submit ourselves for any positive participation to restore mutual and harmonious relationship in the country.
6. We demand for immediate disarmament of all illegally armed militias across the country in the interest of peace, security and stability. Finally, we condemn in totality any attempt of branding herdsmen as terrorists as is being clamoured from certain quarters. We view this as the continuation of the hate agenda on our people and a very dangerous trend for the country.” [myad]

Hausa-Fulani Cabal, Atiku And The Rest Of Us, By Sufuyan Ojeifo

Greenbarge Reporters

January 14, 2018

Recently, I read the highly insightful and incisive intervention by an anonymous author on the rigged structure of Nigeria and the abysmal level of distrust in the interactions and relationships among the ethnic nationalities that comprise our nation.
A former minister of aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode (FFK) claimed a friend of his sent the intervention to him, which he decided to publish in Vanguard newspaper in April 2017.
The piece, coupled with emerging political scenario ahead of 2019, has greatly unsettled me, prompting sundry questions. For instance, how do we define and relate with our distinctive individualities within the complex mix of plural ethnic identities in the Nigerian nation-state without losing our sense of nationalism, that obligatory and patriotic commitment to a united nationhood governed by a central government, to which we are expected to have equal access and share?
How do we continue to show fidelity to a nation-state that has, over the years, been brazenly manipulated and rendered prostrate in lopsided obligation to the interests of an ethnic nationality that claims superiority over us?
How come the group enjoys preferential treatment by successive governments over other component ethnicities without being assailed by the imperative of equity and justice as well as the need for restructuring in order to balance out the scale of socio-economic and political values in the interest of the common good?
Can any right-thinking Nigerian, having been aware of the historical facts contained in the intervention titled: “SEVEN-FOLD YOKE AND THE CABAL THAT OWNS NIGERIA”, continue to be at ease with the system? The Hausa-Fulani cabal was justifiably indicted in the programmatic political manipulation and other forms of exploitation of our nation. The cabal has saddled the rest of us, in the submissions of the anonymous author, with economic, religious, cultural, administrative, diplomatic, and military/security yokes.
Should we resign to fate, watch the domination continue and groan under the yokes? Certainly, this cannot be an option.
We must take our destiny in our hands and resolve, as a matter of urgency, to commit ourselves to a struggle to liberate our generation from the shackles of Hausa-Fulani hegemony.
We must begin to strategically and genuinely engage the platform of politics- the most critical mechanics of control of the political economy- to decide how to cohabit, henceforth, with the Hausa-Fulani stock in the Nigerian federation.
We must engage one another to decide on and agree to what I consider as the irreducible minimum or basic requirements of ethnic relationships and interactions that characterise the basis of an equitable nationhood. I refer to the 2014 National Conference recommendations on true federalism as a guide; otherwise, the 2019 presidential election offers an opportunity for the rest of us to deliberately employ the enterprise of dismantling the oppressive structure which the anachronistic, yet influential Hausa-Fulani hegemony typifies. Progressive nation-states run on the wheels of equity and truth. But unfortunately, Nigeria is run on the wheels of ethnic jingoism, religious chauvinism and rabid antediluvian disdain for our collective human otherness by the Hausa-Fulani cabal.
As things are today, the rest of us have a duty to help preserve Nigeria to live in assured peace as long as the Hausa-Fulani ethnic nationality and the cabal that foist their essence and relevance on the politics of the country are ready to commit themselves to the same credo. They must willingly come down from their high horse in prostrate surrender to true federalism as would be agreed to by the majority of the regional entities.
This brings to the fore the issue of negotiating and renegotiating our nationhood through restructuring.
Our nation cannot continue to perennially run the same way and expect to get different results. Those who are opposed to the idea of restructuring have deliberately chosen to skew what should have been a simple meaning of restructuring into a veritable bugaboo that is synonymous with the dismantling or dismemberment of our nation.
Far from dismemberment! Restructuring, as a process, is a panacea for the ancient fraud, bazaar and injustice that have afflicted Nigeria under the suzerainty of provincial leaders who have, over the years, masqueraded as our “Salvation Army.”
To reverse the trend and help to redirect Nigeria on the path of rectitude and genuine nationhood, the rest of us must sift the grains from the chaffs, this time round. Having agreed to equity in presidential power sharing, in which case it is decided that power should reside in the north for another four-year term until 2023, it should not be the exclusive preserve of the Hausa-Fulani cabal to choose for us who should be our president as it has historically done.
It did so with the election of Obasanjo in 1999. Vice president Goodluck Jonathan chanced on power following the death of his boss, President Umaru Yar’Adua.
The cabal worked against his re-election in 2015 in support of its own: Buhari. Now that Buhari’s presidency has turned out a monumental embarrassment to the hegemony and the entire nation, it is time the rest of us took it upon ourselves to choose a president for Nigeria from the Hausa-Fulani stock who will serve the interest of our nation. No more pandering to its whims and caprices.
And from the array of Hausa-Fulani presidential aspirants so far, it is not difficult to zero in on an aspirant that has the requisite qualifications and dispositions that can readily engender a sentimental pan-Nigerian support, the kind that the late General Musa Yar’Adua, a detribalised Nigerian political leader of repute, enjoyed. Former vice president, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, a detribalised politician, who is, incidentally, Yar’Adua’s political follower, presents a most enticing option, among a microscopic few of such detribalised persons in the north, and that makes him an heir of sorts to the Yar’Adua political dynasty.
But unfortunately, the cabal is ill at ease with him becoming president because of his perceived independent-mindedness, willpower and courage to chart populist paths that are irritating to the cabal.
With his advocacy and ownership of the restructuring agenda, he has defined one of the issues that he intends to espouse once he gets in the saddle.
The gamut of other innovative governance ideas will naturally flow from the faithful implementation of the restructuring agenda on short, medium and long term bases to rebuild Nigeria.
The cabal is not comfortable with restructuring. Little wonder no other aspirant from the north has identified with the idea of restructuring in the manner Atiku has emblazoned it on his forehead.
For instance, Sule Lamido, Hassan Dankwambo, Ibrahim Shekarau, Ahmed Makarfi, and Rabiu Kwankwanso, among others, are not known to have espoused or owned any agenda. Even the incumbent president, Buhari, is now a sport, having rubbished what passed for his own agenda: the anti-corruption war, on the altar of selectiveness. The presidency should no longer be gifted to the unprepared. Aspirants’ guiding, abiding and driving philosophies must be evident and clearly defined. There must be an organic economic blueprint capable of taking the nation out of the woods. Atiku is steps ahead of them all in these regards.
Besides the idea of restructuring, which is a unique selling point of his aspiration, is his affable disposition to Nigeria’s plural ethnic diversities; whereas, the tragedy of northern leadership is the emblematic provincial nature of presidents from that region. Only Atiku has shown clear indications of his cosmopolitan nature-having critical connections with the south of the country, for instance, through conjugal relationships, as well as having global worldviews and international business relationships and connections that would conduce to inflow of foreign investments and growth of the national economy.
We should be able to extract a commitment of a single term from Atiku who is 71. Craving the institution of a lasting legacy, he can within four years, calling on his experience in government, pursue his restructuring agenda, achieve true federalism, shear the centre of its enormous powers and render it unattractive by 2023. In order to consolidate, he will do well to be instrumental to power shift to a younger element in the south in 2023. This is my view about the possibility and imperativeness of taking our nation back from the so-called Hausa-Fulani cabal.

Ojeifo, editor-in-chief of The Congresswatch magazine, writes via ojwonderngr@yahoo.com[myad]

Public Appearance Of Sheikh Zakzaky: We Are Not Impressed – Shiite

Greenbarge Reporters

January 14, 2018

The Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), known as Shiite, has said that members of the group were not impressed with the security agencies who allowed their detained leader, Sheikh El-Zakzaky to speak to a selected section of the Press yesterday, Saturday, January 13, for the first time since his illegal detention.
A statement today, Sunday, the President of Media Forum of IMN, Ibrahim Musa, said that the limited and edited view of the voice of Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky, speaking live in the short video clip in the over two years of his illegal detention may seem very pleasant but falls very short of expectations of his total and unconditional freedom as ordered by the Federal High Court Abuja.
“We are not unmindful of the fact that Sheikh Zakzaky has not committed any crime, and his detention under whatever guise and pretence has been ruled by a competent court in our land as unconstitutional and a breach of his fundamental rights.
“There is, therefore, no justification whatsoever to be satisfied by a few seconds of video clip of an illegally incarcerated Sheikh.
“It is absolutely a matter of complete freedom that he deserves or nothing at all for the Sheikh in our view. Only a truly free Zakzaky will suffice as ordered by the Federal High Court. It is only a free Zakzaky that can determine, without waiting for permission from anyone or security agents, where and when to seek medical attention and from whom.”
Ibrahim Musa argued that if the Sheikh is truly freed, he wouldn’t have to be denied access to his personal doctors or have to need special permission to be granted by security agents to see his personal physicians.
“A truly free Zakzaky will not have to be “granted permission” by anyone to give a press interview, let alone limit it to a selected section of the press. A truly free Zakzaky would not be limited in what questions to address too.”
He said that the arranged interview by the security men was made to appear as impromptu, but that the IMN Leader granted a much longer interview and addressed far more issues that was released. “What did he say about his continuing detention? What did he say about his similarly incarcerated wife and her own ill health? What did he say about the legal tussle or even how the whole saga began in the first place? What did he say about the destruction of his properties, the desecration of his mother’s and children’s graves? What did he have to say about the killing of his elder sister, a nephew, three sons and over a thousand of his disciples? What was his reaction to the mass grave at Mando, which the security did their utmost best to conceal? Why did he opt to challenge his supposed “protective custody” in court when the authorities are telling the world that it was of his own volition? Why did he reject going to Kaduna state constituted Judicial Commission of Inquiry but submitted a memo to Osinbajo Panel of Investigation, only to refuse giving testimony in secret? The questions are nearly endless. “We challenge the security forces to either release to the public the full unedited interview, or allow an open live free interview with no restrictions.
“Undoubtedly, the Islamic Movement is not impressed with this, and certainly is not fooled by the antics of the Buhari security agencies. We are not placated by Sheikh Zakzaky’s short and edited video clip. The local and global Free Zakzaky campaigns will most certainly continue.
“Our goal is not to see Sheikh Zakzaky in a controlled press clip but our goal is the unconditional freedom of Sheikh Zakzaky and his wife as ordered by a competent Nigerian Court. Nothing short of that will suffice.”[myad]

Atiku Not Happy With Media Giving Boko Haram’s Attacks More Publicity Than Army’s Successes

Greenbarge Reporters

January 14, 2018

Former Nigeria Vice President, Atiku Abubakar has expressed regret that Nigerian media had always preferred to give undue publicity to attacks by Boko Haram insurgents while being silent on many successful outings of the Nigerian soldiers over the insurgents.
“Unfortunately, the frequent headlines about Boko Haram and other violent attacks in the northeast and other parts of Nigeria can submerge the gallantry of our security personnel.
“As we all know, good news is hardly regarded as news. Little is heard or read about the exact numbers of soldiers who die in the defence of our country. Hardly anything is told of their acts of bravery and their moments of exceptional valour.”
The former number two citizen of Nigeria, who also holds the traditional title of…made the comments today, Sunday, in commemoration of Armed Forces Remembrance Day.
He recalled how, on January 10, the gallant Troops of Operation Lafiya Dole deployed around Gamboru Ngala successfully averted what would have been a major devastating suicide attack to be carried out by three female Boko Haram terrorists against innocent citizens in Gamboru town in Gamboru Ngala Local Government Area of Borno State, in the early hours of Tuesday.
“I admire the bravery of members of our armed forces, and celebrate their hard efforts to keep us safe.”
Atiku said that while many Nigerians took time off from work and other preoccupations to be with their families over the Christmas and New Year holidays, many Nigerian soldiers and members of other security agencies were in the front lines, ensuring that they were safe, protecting their lives and property, especially in the light of the security alerts over the threat of terrorist bombing during the celebrations.
“While we ate and drank, they were lying in the trenches, watching out for and poised to quench any sign of trouble. Some have been away from their families, not just during the holidays but for months on end. Some have yet to set eyes on their newborn children.
“In addition to these are those security personnel missing from the dining tables and warm embraces of families and loved ones, not because they were in the frontline but because they have fallen in battle. They made the ultimate sacrifice: giving their lives that the rest of us may live in peace and safety. They died that we might live.”
The former Vice President prayed to soon see a time soon when the guns and the armoured tanks would lie idle because there are no more battles left to fight.
“My hope for our country is to see a time when neighbours of different tribes and tongues saw one another as brother and sister, when Christians and Muslims regarded each other as one under God who created all, when citizens could express opinions and grievances freely, then there would be no need for insurgency or uprising. We would all live together in peace and harmony. And, yes, our armed forces would have little to do!
“We must never take for granted the great sacrifice that these brave men and women have made or are making. We must never forget them or their loved ones.
“On this Armed Forces Remembrance Day, I call on Nigerians all over the world to show respect and love to our security personnel by showing respect and love to one another. “When we all live in peace and unity and love, we not only enable steady development and progress in our great country, Nigeria, but we minimise the unnecessary pain, grief and loss of life among our beloved armed forces, who have bravely signed up to keep us all safe and secure.
“Our fallen heroes and their families are not the only ones who suffer. We all are victims of those who do not want our progress and development and perpetually pit one ethnic or religious group against the other.
“It is time for Nigerians to remember to say no to divisions and acrimony caused by people with only their selfish interests at heart.”
Atiku reminded Nigerians that the Remembrance Day is set aside for Nigerians to honour members of the country’s Armed Forces who fought in the first and second World Wars, the Nigerian Civil War and those who served or are still serving in different theatres of war, notably the Boko Haram insurgency in northeast Nigeria.

Nigerian Army Has Succeeded In Keeping The Country United – PDP Chairman, Secondus

Greenbarge Reporters

January 14, 2018

The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP Prince Uche Secondus has said that the nation’s armed forces have succeeded in keeping the country united.
Prince Secondus said in a statement today, Sunday, to mark the armed forces Remembrance Day, emphasised that Nigeria is standing as one country today due largely to the contributions of the armed forces to keep it United.
The PDP boss noted the gallantry of Nigeria troops in containing the Boko Haram insurgency and the supreme sacrifice paid by federal troops and urged them to remain focused to the cause of a United Nigeria.
“You must remain committed to your profession and to the development of the country’s armed forces in particular and the country in general,” Secondus advised the rest of the citizens, especially political leaders to appreciate the huge contributions of the soldiers and those who paid the supreme sacrifice by being more patriotic and accommodating.
The PDP leader called on the security agencies to be more civil in carrying out their obligations and know that their responsibility is to the country and its citizens and not to only government in power.

I’m Sorry For Opening My Mouth Too Wide, Plateau Governor Apologises To Benue Counterpart

Greenbarge Reporters

January 14, 2018

Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, has tendered his unreserved apologies to his Benue State counterpart, Governor Samuel Ortom and the people of Benue State over the comments he made following the murder of over 60 people by herdsmen in two local government areas.
Governor Lalong had told newsmen at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, last week, that he warned Governor Ortom against passing the anti-grazing law which was believed to have caused the deadly killings by the herdsmen.
The governor’s statement was widely criticised as highly insensitive and suggestive of justifying the killings and grave injuries inflicted on the villagers by the unidentified herdsmen.
Governor Lalong, who retracted his statement at the weekend in Abuja, said that his comments would not in any way help in the resolution of the crisis.
“I must say that I humbly apologise for my comments because I have seen that it was really misconceived and misinterpreted. That generated a lot of social media write-up here and there about the issue. I apologise for that because neither the argument for or against helps the matter because it involves lives.
“I am here to comment on my statement concerning the lingering issue. That is my comment after the presidential visit in respect of the crisis in Benue State.
“Once again, let me use this opportunity extend my deepest sympathies and extend our condolences to the people of Benue State over this great loss. My prayer is that God will continue to give them and every Nigerian the fortitude to bear the loss.
“I have great respect for the sanctity of human lives and the unity of the Middle Belt. I would not say Plateau is fighting Benue State at all. We are brothers and sisters. Benue was created out of Plateau. Nasarawa was created out of Plateau.
“We still remain brothers and sisters. So I extend my prayers to all of them and I pray that God Almighty will give them the fortitude to bear the loss and grant the souls of the departed eternal rest.”

IBB Appeals To Nigerians To Stop Hate Speeches, Other Vices Capable Of Triggering Bloodshed

Greenbarge Reporters

January 14, 2018

General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (Rtd)

Former Nigerian military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida has appealed to Nigerians to stop hate speeches and other vices that are capable of triggering violence and bloodshed.
The former leader, in a message to mark the Armed Forces Day which comes up tomorrow, January 15, said: “we should eschew hate speeches, discrimination and other vices that trigger senseless violence and bloodshed.
“We have witness so much bloodshed through communal clashes and conflicts that need urgent actions to stop them NOW.
Babangida also called on political office holders as well as politicians from all political parties to be conscious of their campaign slogans and messages as the nation is set to enter the electioneering period towards the 2019 general elections.
He asked them to ensure that they gear their campaigns towards peaceful participation and constructive engagements of the electorates.
“I must also call on governments at all levels; religious leaders, traditional rulers, social activists and the media to serve as national vanguards in resolving some of the recent disturbing incidents affecting our national security.
“For the members of the armed forces and security agencies, I urge them to remain apolitical, neutral and focus on the ethics of discipline which is the hallmark of their profession.”
Babangida expressed his condolence to the families of members of the Armed Forces who lost their lives in their effort to keep Nigeria secured in various military operations and wished that their gentle souls rest in perfect peace.

Farmers, Herders’ Clashes: Jonathan’s Efforts, Buhari’s Cross

Greenbarge Reporters

January 14, 2018

In this country, there has been series of interventions and research in respect of the herdsmen’s grazing issue. A lot of studies by different agencies have proffered different solutions over the years.
When it is said that the problem pre-dates the present government of Muhammadu Buhari, the best thing to do is to find out how far behind and what has been the intervention. It’s only the uneducated that get worked up by a single narrative.
The problem even pre-dates the Goodluck Jonathan government but in fairness to former president Jonathan, he was proactive in finding a lasting solution to the incessant herdsmen/farmer’s clashes and bloodbath.
But because a President alone can’t govern a nation, every effort of Jonathan was messed up by guess who? State governors.
It would interest you that these governors mostly belong to the same politcal party with him. The effort of Jonathan to finding a permanent solution to this problem was what prompted the Miyette Allah group to appoint him as their Patron. They saw the amount of work Jonathan put into finding a lasting solution to this age long conflict.
Failure to implement that robust solution is what has led to what we are presently witnessing.
President Goodluck Jonathan in 2014 inaugurated an Inter-ministerial technical committee on grazing reserves, tasked with proposing strategies for ending the herdsmen crisis.
Gabriel Suswan (PDP), former Governor of Benue state (Benue has always been the hot spot hence the choice of Suswan) was appointed by GEJ to head the political committee on Grazing Reserves. The committee got to work and the final report recommended recovery of all grazing routes encroached upon by farmers and recommended that CBN be mandated to release N100 billion to the 36 states for construction of ranches.
The National Economic Council, NEC under President Jonathan approved this recommendation and thereafter the Central Bank actually released the N100 billion.
Did you read that? N100 billion was released. I guess you are wondering just like I did, to whom was the money released?
Of course, the State Governors took the money but none of them constructed the ranches. I did not say they pocketed it o! But, it is a fact that none of them utilise the money for the purpose it was meant for.
Consequently, the House of Reps set up a committee to investigate reports that the funds have been looted by the governors and report within 4 weeks to the house in plenary. Okay, as I type this, the report is still been awaited…dont ask me why… I am as clueless as you about that too.
The current Buhari government thereafter followed up on the earlier ranching plan formulated by the Jonathan government (which N100 billion was released to the governors for) and in 2016 presented a plan to the Nigeria Governors forum (under Buhari regime) to map grazing areas in all states as a temporary solution to the herdsmen crisis, but most central and southern states opposed the plan.
Now, we are where we are today. See, it does not matter who’s president, if we don’t make this political leaders at all levels act accordingly we are in for a long ride…
Meanwhile, 90% of the governors who took and shared that N100 billion are walking free all over the place. That’s how easy it is to get money out of our treasury and some people will pocket it without using it for what’s meant for, yet nobody is asking any question.
Now, is it Jonathan that caused that? The man wanted to stop the killings and he tried to find a solution but people within his own political enclave collected the money and pocketed it.
It does not matter if Buhari continues as President or not, sooner than later he would head back home to Daura just like Jonathan headed back to Otuoke but our problems will still remain with us. If we don’t come together and place a demand on all this rogues to do the needful instead of fighting each other on SM, I can assure you that problems don’t go just because you blame someone for causing it.
That Tambuwal led House of Rep probe on the N100 billion? Are you asking me? Haba! Go figure.
Until we all bury emotions and think logically, needless deaths would continue to occur to both the herdsmen and the natives. Meanwhile, we sit behind our keyboards safely churning out ignorant information for the purpose of, mainly, making political gains out of people’s pains and anguish. [myad]

On Murderous Fulani Kidnappers, By Yushau A. Shuaib

Greenbarge Reporters

January 14, 2018

“Terrorists Now Disguise as Fulani Herdsmen” – President Goodluck Jonathan June 2014
The above quote was the news headline after a speech by former President Goodluck Jonathan at an international conference on Fulani Herdsmen in Kaduna in June 2014, before they now become major kidnap kingpins.
In the last one year, at least, the Police Spokesperson, Moshood JImoh has pushed out several press releases on the arrest of “vicious, murderous, deadly, dangerous kidnappers” where he provided the names and pictures of the suspects. The spokesperson is magnanimous in allowing journalists to interrogate the suspected kidnappers. Apart from the list mostly bearing Northern names, I won’t say Islamic, they are mostly Fulani men from their confession and accents.
The arrested Fulani criminals in their chilling and graphic confessions admitted to raping, killing and even drinking the blood of some of their victims, sometimes after collecting the ransoms.
My concerns as a Northern Muslim is how come Fulani people have now taken over the job of kidnapping which prior to the arrival of President Buhari’s administration was common with militants in the Niger Delta and occasionally armed robbers in the South-East and South-West? What influenced the Fulanis to take into this kidnapping profession? What happened to their business of husbandry/pastoral? What motivates them into killing some of their victims after collecting ransom? Where did they acquire the intimidating skill of handling sophisticated weapons? How do they get the supply of the weapons? What intoxicates them into raping their victims including pregnant women? How can all these be addressed by the people and the government?
The answers to some of the questions above can be found at the event addressed by President Goodluck Jonathan in Kaduna in June 2014. The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) under Sambo Dasuki (Dasukigate?), funded and organized the International Conference on Security and Development Challenges of Pastoralism in West and Central Africa, with the theme ‘The Role of Pastoralists in Preventing Insurgency and Conflicts for Sustainable Development.’ The conference which was attended by Fulani herdsmen and policymakers from Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad and Niger, identified the key challenges facing herdsmen and other stakeholders, and their consequences on national security. It also encouraged synergy among stakeholders to tackle the menace of terrorism, insurgency, cattle rustling, communal clashes and other threats to national security.
As the Special Guest of Honour at the Conference, President Jonathan said terrorists and criminal elements masquerade as Fulani herdsmen in order to inflict maximum damage on the peace, stability and security of the country. Represented by his deputy Namadi Sambo, Jonathan argued that insurgents were hiding under the umbrella of herdsmen to exploit the conflict between pastoralists and farmers in Nigeria to propagate their activities.
Also speaking at the event, Sambo Dasuki as the NSA urged government at all levels, traditional rulers, mass media and other relevant institutions to work together in finding solutions to violence saying, “peaceful coexistence requires compromises.”
In his remarks, the then Speaker of the House of Representative Aminu Tambuwal commended ONSA for organising the conference and urged stakeholders to collectively find a solution to the crises which if not properly handled, could degenerate into very serious security situations in the country.
The then Agriculture Minister, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina said Fulani herdsmen were facing a lot of pressure with the increase in population and desertification, adding that the increase in criminality had made livestock production a risky business. He called for regional solutions to the menace of rustling because most of the cattle raiders have the affinity with others in neighbouring countries that often ignore international boundaries.
A leader of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Ahmadu Suleiman said the frequency of livestock theft was increasing. He claimed that thieves attack herders with weapons and often inflict heavy casualties on herders’ camps.
Recommendations from the conference, which was well attended by traditional rulers, service chiefs, political leaders and the diplomatic community, were forwarded to federal and state governments for action. One of the major recommendations was on the need for security agencies to be proactive in recognizing and addressing security challenges involving Fulani herdsmen and farmers to avoid the manipulation and hijacking of the situation by violent actors which could further exacerbate and worsen the conflicts. The implementation of that report could go a long way in addressing some of the challenges Nigeria faces now. Yushau A. Shuaib, Author of An Encounter with the Spymaster can be reached on: yashuaib@yahoo.com
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Amaechi Asks Kinsmen Not To Take 2019 Governorship Poll As Do-Or-Die Affair

Greenbarge Reporters

January 13, 2018

Minister of Transportation and former governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, has asked the supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state to go into the 2019 general elections, especially the governorship one, with determination to win but that it should not be taken as a do-or-die affair.

Amaechi, who spoke today, Saturday at a reception organized for him as grand patron of Ikwerre Youth Movement (IYM) at the Movement’s national secretariat, Isiokpo, Ikwerre local government area of the state, said: “the 2019 elections, especially the governorship, are our last battle. If we win, we will take over Rivers State and if we lose in the election, we will go home and rest.

“We will not impose any candidate. Anybody who will go for any position, like chairmanship, should go for primaries. Anybody who wins will be the party’s candidate.”

The former Rivers governor stressed the importance of rotation of power among ethnic nationalities in the state even as he advised members of the APC and IYM register to vote because it is only by vote that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State can be removed.

“As Ikwerre people, we must give out the power to other ethnic nationalities. But we will be in a position to take it back at any time. Your future is in your hands.

“The President (Muhammadu Buhari) said that there would be no rigging during the 2019 elections. It is to our advantage. Go and register to be eligible to vote and to put the candidates of your choice in power.”[myad]

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