The unrelenting insecurity, terrorism/insurgency miasma in Nigeria is disturbing. Innocent people are arbitrarily hacked to death, the issue is talked about for a few days, a Committee/Panel is assembled and the whole episode fizzles out sooner than later. Terrorism/Insurgency and insecurity has taken a big toll on innocent lives, public infrastructures and Nigeria’s economy. A recent report suggests Nigeria’s military campaign against terrorism and insurgency may have gulped over N 1 trillion.
The incessant killings being perpetrated across the country by the Fulani herdsmen once more brings to focus the need by Nigeria’s security agencies to wake up to their statutory responsibilities and be proactive in intelligence gathering to nip in the bud future possible outbreak of violence between Fulani herdsmen and farmers.
Of a truth, the rampaging Fulani herdsmen have become a national plague. As rightly noted by Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, who also doubles as Chairman, South-East Governors’ Forum, it has become “a national issue that also requires national approach to solve it…” We recall that this was how the Boko Haram insurgency began, and since it was not given the attention it deserved by the then federal government, the terrorist group festered and metamorphosed into a hydra-headed monster, which has continued to waste the lives of many innocent Nigerians. Indeed, the government needs to appreciate the fact that it is dealing with another terrorist group and therefore, must take a decisive action to avert more crises in the country.
In March of this year, Mrs Angele Dikongues Atangana, the Representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Nigeria and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), noted: “In my 20 years of working as a humanitarian I have never seen such a level of destruction. If steps are not taken, the crisis can affect the country as a whole.” Mrs Atangana made this observation after visiting Agatu Local Government Council of Benue State where 50 persons were dispatched to their early graves, courtesy of the attacks by Fulani herdsmen on farmers at Odugbeho.
On April 26, 2016 Not less than 40 persons were also been reportedly killed by some Fulani herdsmen at Nimbo in Uzo- Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State, that also share border with Avurugo in Igalamela/Odolu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The Story did not also changed as My good people of Avurugo in Igalamela/Odolu LGA re no longer save to go to their farms. Fulani herdsmen were reported to have entered Avrugo on the afternoon of Thursday June 23rd 2016 and was said to have killed one Felix Nwa Okoro on his way back from his farm and the security agencies are silent.
Its not time to apportion political blames but as a matter of urgency His Excellency the Executive Governor of Kogi State Alhaji Yahaya Bello, The commissioner of police, kogi State, the DSS and all Security agencies, we are calling on you to come to our aid.
We are also calling on the Commissioner of Police to send SARS to the affected area for Boarder Patrol and Policing to arrest crime as it tries to enter the state.
Finally I want to use this medium to recommend Border Community Policing as a proactive measure to forestall further occurrence of this deadly menace: Nigeria is a victim of terrorism today because of poor National border control and zero border policing.
Nigeria is also experiencing reckless killings by Fulani Herdsmen because of poor inter-State border control and policing. The armed forces, in collaboration with the Border Communities Development Agency should set up a border control unit both inter-State and National Borders.
These killings usually happens in inter-state border communities because they are prone to attacks by the herdsmen. In 2013, the House or
Representatives recommended that army bases be set up in border communities. This should be done immediately, not just inter-State borders alone, but national borders also. This will go a long way to prevent further crisis in Nigeria between Herdsmen and community members. It will also help to completely eliminate Boko Haram because without an effective inter-state and national border control, Boko Harm and Fulani Herdsmen crisis cannot be eliminated.
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Great ideas don’t make great nations but great decisions do. If these ideas are implemented, we will successfully end the Fulani Herdsmen crisis and Boko Haram crisis. It’s a template that can solve both problems at the same time.
Looking forward to a better Kogi State. God bless Nigeria.
– Comrade Anselm Victory Ojodomo (AVO)
