Anarchy: Relocate To North, Northen Elders Urges Herdsmen - Harbours

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Anarchy: Relocate To North, Northen Elders Urges Herdsmen

 


The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) asked Fulani herdsmen to relocate to the North if communities in parts of the country are insisting that they are not welcome and have no right to their security.


The forum also urged northern governors to move urgently to prepare to receive members of the Fulani communities being forcefully ejected.


This is even as the NEF said President Muhammadu Buhari and state governors should take immediate and decisive steps to protect law-abiding members of Fulani communities from killers and criminals who believe that Fulani have no rights in the country.


The forum, in a statement made available to LEADERSHIP yesterday in Abuja by the director, publicity and advocacy, Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, said they had been receiving reports since the night of last Sunday and had taken the responsible step by drawing the attention of authorities to the dangers which attacks on herders represent for all Nigerians.



It said they were deeply worried by reports of ejections under threats and attacks on Fulani herders, their families and communities in some states of the South.


The statement noted: “It is necessary to warn people who threaten law-abiding Fulani communities in all parts of Nigeria, but particularly in some parts of the South, to desist. The vast majority of Fulani are law-abiding and have the rights to live lawfully wherever they can find means of subsistence.


“Like all Nigerians who can be found in every inch of Nigeria, the rights of the Fulani will not be abridged by criminals hiding behind ethnic interests to exterminate them. Citizens and groups who play the role of police and other law-enforcement agencies are committing crimes, and they must be stopped by leaders who are sworn to protect the law and security of all Nigerians.


“The forum reminds the nation that there are criminals in all ethnic groups, and the nation will be treading dangerous grounds if it continues to tolerate the demonization of entire groups over particular types of crimes.


“We demand the immediate arrest and prosecution of persons who are attacking Fulani and setting the country on a very dangerous path. The forum repeats its earlier position: the Fulani will not be ejected from any Nigerian community only on the basis of being Fulani or herding cattle within the limits of laws and regulations.”


NEF said while states that seek to limit criminal activities are perfectly entitled to do so, they must follow due process and avoid exposing innocent citizens to danger at all cost.


The forum pointed out that the Nigeria Police must live up to its constitutional responsibility of detecting crime and arrest and prosecute criminals, whoever they are.


Urging the herders to return to the North, the northern elders said, “No politician has the right to outsource the work of the police to local thugs and gangs. If communities in parts of the country insist that the lawful Fulani is unwelcome and has no right to their security, then the Forum will advise them to relocate to the North. Northern Governors should move urgently to prepare to receive Fulani communities being forcefully ejected.


“The Forum appeals again for all Nigerians to exercise restraint and not to play into the hands of people who desire to achieve dubious political goals by pitching citizens against each other. Persons who inflame passions by circulating videos and other materials should also desist.’’


It further expressed hope that Nigerians would see firm, fair and responsible leadership from all elected leaders without delay.


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