THE National Movement for Positive Change (NMPC) has condemned in strong terms the invasion, killing and destruction of properties by Fulani herdsmen in Benue State and its sudden proposal of a cattle colony to check the situation.
NMPC, according to a statement signed by its President, Barrister Niyi Aborisade described the act as barbaric and unheard of in the 21st century.
Aborisade stated that aside from the fact that the act is a dangerous signal to continue co-existence of Nigeria, such that if not properly managed could drive Nigeria to another war.
“The recent attack of farmers in Benue state by the Fulani herdsmen is a danger to the unity of Nigeria,as well as a
great challenge on the expertise and mental alertness of security agencies in the country.
“That such number of people could be killed in a country in the 21st century and without any of the security
agencies cognizance is a wake up call on President Muhammdu Buhari that no Nigerian is safe in Nigeria anymore.
“As if that was not enough, up till date, nobody has ever been apprehended some days after the attack.To make the matter worse, the Federal Government of Nigeria has never deem it fit to send a high-powered delegation to the state and scene of the event and commiserate with the people of Benue State.
“These killings and reprisals pose a great threat to peace and unity of Nigeria, hence, we call on the Federal
Government to come out and take a very strong stand on the development to curtail the ugly trend before it spread to other parts of the country like wild fire.
“The issue of cattle colony, ranches and grazing lines being propounded by the Federal Government should be well thought of before being presented to the public. The government should be talking about a lasting solution to the issue and not one that could likely trigger negative reactions.
“The Federal Government should be conscious of being tainted as a defender of Fulani herdsmen cause by its
various proposals, this could be a dangerous approach to the issue. The onus thenlies on the government to prove otherwise by coming out with an objective and a lasting solution that will be fair to all.
“Farmers have their farmlands to protect having invested so much in it, just as the government is justifying the huge investment of Fulani herdsmen on their cattle business across the country. This should be taken seriously because in whatever way we view it, the crisis is a pointer to economic threat that could face the country in earnest if this crisis is not properly managed.
“Finally, we once again called on the Federal Government to put an end to the shedding of blood in every part of the country,especially in recent times and reassure the citizenry of their safety in the country as entrenched in the constitution.”
