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.
==============================================
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)
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.
==============================================
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)
