- The federal government has been urged by the Right Without Violence group, to take measures to end the incessant clashes between herdsmen and farmers across the nation
- The coordinator of the group noted that many innocent people had been killed as a result of the recurring clashes, and warned against allowing Nigeria go the way of Rwanda, Burundi or Liberia
- He also criticized the anti-open grazing law implemented in some states and called for the investigation of ‘militias’ set up to enforce the law
Right Without Violence, a non-governmental organisation, has called on the federal government to take measures to address the lingering herdsmen/farmers clashes to avoid further bloodshed, NAN reports.
The coordinator of the group, Dr Ahmed Jibril-Suleiman, made the call at a news conference in Zaria on Wednesday, January 30.
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NAIJ.com gathers that Right Without Violence is a group of volunteer legal practitioners seeking to protect the fundamental rights of all citizens.
Jibril-Suleiman stressed that every Nigerian had the right to live wherever they chose.
“We should not allow Nigeria to be like Rwanda, Burundi or Liberia, where the issue of ethnicity has thrown them into a prolonged crisis," he said.
The coordinator described the enactment of anti-grazing law by Benue and Taraba states as dangerous and a total violation of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Jibril-Suleiman noted that many innocent people had been killed as a result of the recurring farmers-herdsmen clashes.
He also said that no state should be allowed to train militias under any pretext, as that could pose serious threat to national security and unity.
“The report of 1,000 armed militia, supposedly trained to enforce the so-called anti-grazing law should be investigated and dealt with decisively.
“Government must set up a special task force to investigate the killing of innocent Nigerians.
“The investigation should start from Zangon-Kataf, to Tafawa Balewa, Yelwan Shendam, Ibbi, Wukari and Mambila," he added.
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Meanwhile, NAIJ.com previously reported that the presidency on Tuesday, January 30, expressed confidence that the Buhari administration would end the herdsmen/farmers clashes and the violence associated with it.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo gave the assurance while receiving a delegation led by the traditional rulers of Batta and Bachamma communities in Adamawa state: HRM Hama Batta, Homun Alhamdu Teneke (JP); and HRM Hama Bachamma, Homun Honest Irmiya Stephen (JP) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. READ
In a statement by the senior special assistant on media and publicity, Laolu Akande, Osinbajo said: “President Muhammadu Buhari is determined to resolve the herdsmen-farmers clashes in Adamawa state and return peace and order to the affected communities."
What should the federal government do to tackle herdsmen attacks in the country? - on NAIJ.com TV:
Source: Naija.ng
ROSY CREST
Thursday, 1 February 2018