The terror of herdsmen and President Buhari’s errors by O'Femi Kolawole

Just when we thought the deadly attacks of herdsmen around Nigeria are already being effectively checkmated by our country’s security agencies, the news of another tragic hit in Enugu last week again brings to the fore the dangers the terror of these herdsmen pose to Nigeria’s peace and well-being and the error President Buhari has been making on this very serious matter.

The federal government’s lackadaisical attitude in decisively dealing with this critical issue since the administration came to power in May last year, has the potential of not only building up anger in survivors of these attacks but also persuading them it’s worth taking the law into their hands since security agencies appear to be helpless in bringing the perpetrators to justice or preventing fresh attacks. But much more than these, it could also engulf the country in unexpected conflagration with unimaginable consequences if not effectively stemmed now.

Since these attacks started, hundreds of innocent lives have been lost. Sadly, for no reasonable reason at all! It is the body language, nonchalance, and indifference of Mr. President towards vociferously condemning the herdsmen that has made many Nigerians conclude he is more or less protecting their interests because he is a cattle farmer himself. It is also why these attacks have been recurring since the perpetrators believe they can get away with their crimes.

I can’t help but ask: Is anyone telling the President the casualty figures being recorded as a result of these herdsmen attacks? Has anyone shown President Buhari some of the pictures of the victims of the attacks for him to see the severity of the barbarity carried out by the perpetrators? Or the Presidency doesn’t yet think the cruelty of the gruesomeness of these attacks needs to be stopped forthwith?

The life of every Nigerian matters. It must be seen and treated as such. It’s part of the change our polity needs. And charity begins at home. But when Presidential spokesmen, in the President’s name, send condolences to the families of victims of the earthquake in Italy but fail to do so to the families of their compatriots who were victims of the herdsmen attack in Enugu which occurred almost as the same time, it raises very fundamental questions about the sense of judgment of those we have in the corridors of power and whether they actually understand their responsibilities well enough.

By now, I believe it ought to be clear to everyone in Aso Rock  that the matter of these herdsmen, Fulani or whatever their identities, and their incessant attacks, is no longer one that can be toyed with or treated with kid gloves like the Presidency has so far done.

Last December, no fewer than 22 persons were killed when herdsmen attacked Kwata in Jos South Local government area of Plateau State. In February, another attack by these herdsmen in Agatu, Benue State, reportedly led to the death of at least 300 persons. That particular attack has been described as one of the worst ever witnessed in the series of attacks by these herdsmen.

In April, 2016, at least 40 persons were also reportedly killed when herdsmen attacked Nimbo in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State. About seven villages in Nimbo including Ugwuijoro, Ekwuru, Ebor, Umuome and Ugwuachara were among the areas attacked. No fewer than 10 houses including a church were also burnt.

Also in April, herdsmen attacked Dori and Mesuma villages in Gashaka Local Government Area of Taraba State, killing at least 15 people, according to the police although, residents told journalists more than 40 persons were killed and several houses razed by the assailants.

And there is also the one on May 20, when two persons were killed and six others injured in Oke Ako in Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State. The assailants were alleged to have attacked their victims for refusing to allow the herdsmen use their farmland for grazing.

Of course, the herdsmen attack in Ekiti was what prompted the state Governor, Ayodele Fayose to sign the Anti-Grazing Bill 2016 recently passed by the House of Assembly into law yesterday. The law, according to the Governor, will strengthen security in various communities across Ekiti while whoever flouts it stands the risk of being treated as a terrorist.

Moreover, anyone caught grazing with arms or any weapon in Ekiti would now be charged with terrorism. The same goes for those who graze in prohibited areas or go against the time frame of 7am to 6pm allowed for open grazing.

Now, this is aside the fact that any farm crop destroyed by the activities of apprehended herdsmen shall be estimated by agricultural officers and the expenses of the estimate borne by the culprit even as any herdsman caught violating any of the rules also risks six months imprisonment without an option of fine.

Ekiti state is now taking the lead in what the federal government should have spearheaded. The perception most Nigerians have of this administration concerning the herdsmen issue is that it is more interested in protecting them than in protecting the interests of innocent Nigerians who have been the victims of their terror. This ought not to be. After all, the lives of cows are not more important than those of men!

That is why it is paramount for the Presidency to wake up from its slumber now and find a way of resolving this matter in a sustainable manner on a nationwide scale. Government reservation of lands for grazing in different parts of the country in solving this problem is old thinking and archaic strategy. Since these herds are owned by private individuals, setting up private ranches is a better way to go.

Meanwhile, we must remember that no group has the monopoly of violence. And patience also has its elasticity. When people believe they have been pushed to the wall and can no longer take the attacks and oppressions against them, they may decide to take extreme actions that could lead to total chaos in the polity. But this can be prevented if the President takes concrete ameliorative steps now and stops the aloofness he’s been showing on the incessant herdsmen attacks across the country. A stitch in time saves nine.