President Muhammadu Buhari have been condemned and accused of exhibiting an “unholy silence” and downplaying the genocide in Agatu, Benue state by his kinsmen, Fulani herdsmen.
This declaration is contained in a statement by the Benue State Caucus of the House of Representatives delivered to The Trent on Friday, March 18, 2016.
Interior Minister Gen.Abdulrahman Dambazzau was also accused of inaction in the statement which declared that the Fulani militia were conducting a Jihad North Central Nigeria.
The lawmakers accused the Buhari government of downplaying the extent of crimes committed by the Fulani herdsmen and their armed militia in the region.
The full text of the press statement is published below:
Gentlemen of the Press, we have called you to further draw your attention to the unfolding genocide in Benue state by Fulani herdsmen; a genocide that typical of the Nigerian state has been downplayed or ignored until it spirals out of control. After the Agatu mass massacre, a few headlines were recorded, a few sympathetic comments in high places but concrete moves to stop the killings have not been made.
We decry the lukewarm attitude of the Federal Government towards this ‘jihad’ being waged against our people by the herdsmen. We condemn the belated reaction of President Muhammadu Buhari and his Minister of Interior, Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Danbazzau (rtd) who broke their unholy silence a week after over 500 people were killed and 10 villages razed in Agatu area of the state. It is curious that up till today, the Investigative Panel purportedly instituted by the Federal Government to inquire into the attacks has not been made public or inaugurated. Who are the members of this Committee? When will they commence work? Must we wait for all the people of the state to be cleansed off the surface of the earth before we act?
The Benue Caucus recalls that when Chief Lam Adesina was governor of Oyo state, President Muhammadu Buhari, then a private citizen, reportedly visited him in Ibadan, perhaps as Grand Patron of Miyetti Allah (umbrella organization of cattle rearers in Nigeria) to complain to the governor that his people, the Fulani herdsmen, were being attacked by the indigenous farmers. Is that why the herdsmen are now taken advantage of his position as President to wreak havoc on our people? We are saying this invasion must stop for we will no longer tolerate the violation of the integrity of our people. We want Mr. President to act like the soldier that he is now!
You are all aware that Benue State is the “Food Basket of the Nation”. But it is disturbing that every planting season is heralded by serial attacks by these Fulani herdsmen. They also return during the harvesting season. Where are herdsmen getting sophisticated ammunitions from? Why is it taking the government so long to smoke out those behind this genocide? Since the beginning of this carnage, how many of these herdsmen have been arrested? We can no longer fold our arms, while our people are being killed like chickens by jihadists who camouflage as herdsmen.
We want to warn and make it crystal clear that the hospitality and accommodating nature of Benue people must not be abused any longer. The fact that we are accommodating does not mean we are weak. Are we not entitled to be protected by the Nigerian state as the Nigerian constitution stipulates? Or are we been told by this obvious neglect that we are on our own and we shall only survive if we organize our own protection from these rampaging marauders? Our people are not wild animals to be hounded at will.
Gentlemen, it is a fact that cattle rearing is an integral part of the economic mainstay of some Northerners and have no doubt contributed to a sustained production and sales of cow meat in markets across the country. But the recent activities of Fulani cattle rearers in Benue state are threatening the life and existence of our peace loving people especially in the rural areas. Benue state is known as the Food Basket of the Nation, but how can that be when there appears to be a calculated agenda to kill, maim and displace the people in large numbers?
We want to bring to the notice of Mr. President, the Federal Government and indeed the whole world that several local government areas in Benue State including Buruku, Guma, Gwer-West, Logo, Kwande, Tarka, Gwer-East, Makurdi, Agatu and Katsina-Ala have been under perennial heavy attacks from the Fulani herdsmen since 2013. The incessant attacks by these Fulani herdsmen have resulted in the death of thousands of Benue people. Since the beginning of this year, not less than 1000 people have been killed and property worth millions of naira destroyed by these ravaging Fulani herdsmen.
It is despicable and unacceptable that despite the outcry that trailed the killings and sacking of Agatu communities by the Fulani militia, the marauders have continued unabated laying siege to other Local Governments and killing more people. The visit of the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase and his unsympathetic statement that the number of those killed was blown out of proportion expectedly encouraged the herdsmen who have intensified their killing bazaar in the state. These herdsmen have in the last few weeks sacked over 100 villagers in Logo, Buruku, Kwande, Makurdi, Gwer-West, Tarka, Guma, Agatu and Katsina-Ala local government areas killing over 300 people and destroying hundreds of homes.
These herdsmen do not spare anyone. The Benue state Governor, Dr. Samuel Ortom, himself has lost over 100 hectares of paddy farm to the attackers since coming into office. A few days ago, some policemen were also reportedly hacked to death in the state by these marauders. This is in spite of the fact that Governor Ortom on taking over last year had gone to great length to negotiate peace moves with the herdsmen. But, apparently, the more the herdsmen are appeased, the more flagrant and audacious they carry on with their activities.
There is a grave danger ahead if the federal government continue to shy away from taking pragmatic actions to end this carnage and genocide against our people. If the Federal Government fails to end this regime of impunity and senseless killings, we will not hesitate to mobilise our people and defend ourselves in whatever way we can.
We can no longer continue to remain docile and sedate, while the Fulani herdsmen desecrate our land, kill our men, women and children; rape our women, destroy our farms and raze our houses. This is the time for the Benue people, especially the youth, to stand up and defend their state. This killing, kidnapping and raping by herdsmen must stop. It is often said that when violence confronts violence, peace will reign. So, if the Federal Government delays in nipping this senseless killings in the bud, we will confront our adversaries and attackers frontally.
We urge the security agencies to stop the attacks, killings and wanton destruction of property by the Fulani militia. They should arrest, disarm, prosecute and jailed the foot soldiers and their sponsors. We also call on the Nigerian Immigration Service to be alive to its responsibilities in identifying and expelling foreign nationals who constitute security risks to the country.
SIGNED:
1. RT. HON. ORKER JEV – BURUKU
2. RT. HON. HERMAN HEMBE – KONSHISHA/VANDEIKYA
3. RT. HON. JOHN DYEGH – GBOKO/TARKA
4. RT. HON. SAMSON OKWU – OJU/OBI
5. RT. HON. EZEKIEL ADAJI – OTUKPO/OHIMNI
6. RT. HON. HASSAN SALEH – ADO/OGBADIBO/OKPOKWU
7. RT. HON. ADAMU ENTONU – APA/AGATU
8. RT. HON. EMMANUEL UDENDE – KATSINA-ALA/LOGO/UKUM
9. HON. DICKSON TARKIGHIR – MAKURDI/GUMA
10. HON. WAYO BENJAMIN – KWANDE/USHONGO
11. HON. GBILLAH MARK T. – GWER EAST/GWER WEST
