Coming at a time many may perceive as belated, President Muhammadu Buhari, Tuesday, in Nasarawa State, sternly warned that his government would no longer tolerate the attacks by suspected herdsmen and other armed men in nefarious activities.
Buhari was in Lafia, Nasarawa State, to inaugurate some projects, which include – Lafia Comprehensive Special School; Comprehensive Primary Healthcare Centre in Kwandere; Muhammadu Buhari International Market, Karu. He sympathized with victims of the attacks and frowned at what he described as “unwarranted killing of innocent citizens”. He appealed to the people not to engage in reprisals attacks.
To the people of Nigeria’s North Central, Buhari said his government has put in place “adequate measures” to end the crisis and maintain law and order. His words: “I also want to assure the people of the north central and indeed all Nigerians that the federal government is working day night to ensure peace and stability returns”.
He said: “We have deployed additional resources to all the affected areas to maintain law and order. I appeal to all Nigerians to refrain from reprisal attacks. The security agencies have standing order to arrest and prosecute any and all persons found with illegal arms. I will once again express my condolences and sympathy to all the affected victims of these barbaric acts”.
President Buhari government’s soft handling of the genocidal killings by suspected herdsmen, especially, in Benue State, led to uncomplimentary knocking of his government by former President Olusegun Obasanjo in his recent special press statement.
Obasanjo said: “The herdsmen/crop farmers issue is being wittingly or unwittingly allowed to turn sour and messy. It is no credit to the Federal Government that the herdsmen rampage continues with careless abandon and without finding an effective solution to it”.
“And it is a sad symptom of insensitivity and callousness that some Governors, a day after 73 victims were being buried in a mass grave in Benue State without condolence, were jubilantly endorsing President Buhari for a second term! The timing was most unfortunate”.
Obasanjo added that: “The issue of herdsmen/crop farmers dichotomy should not be left on the political platform of blame game; the Federal Government must take the lead in bringing about solution that protects life and properties of herdsmen and crop farmers alike and for them to live amicably in the same community”.
