It’s mischievous to tag herdsmen crisis on Islamisation of Nigeria, says FG

“When they report farmers, herdsmen clashes, they report it as if it was brought by the Buhari administration, forgetting that the first recorded clash of herdsmen and farmers was in 1947. They have also forgotten that in 2013, there was the Agatu killing.  We have number of killings recorded between farmers and herdsmen which took place under the Jonathan presidency. For you to understand the herdsmen, farmers’ clash and address it holistically, you must understand the context very well.”

The Federal Government has described the comments by some of Nigerians that the purported “herdsmen” killings in the country began with coming into office of President Muhammadu Buhari is mischievous, adding that the government has the required political will to address the challenge.

He also said attempts by some Nigerians to label the killings as ethnic cleansing or Islamisation is unfortunate.

Speaking in a media interview in Abuja, the minister said the first recorded clash between farmers and herdsmen in this country happened in 1947 when Nigeria was still under colonial rule.

The minister, who said the clashes between the farmers and herdsmen is not ethnic cleansing as erroneously believed also added that several clashes occurred under the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, especially the Agatu killings in 2013.

According to him, President Buhari is also worried about the killings and is taking pragmatic steps to ensure that every territory of Nigeria is secure and safe.

“It is unfortunate that Nigerians at times make commentary on the farmers, herdsmen clashes either out of ignorance or out of emotion. What is happening in the Middle-Belt, particularly Taraba, Benue, Plateau, people’s comments are largely driven by emotions and not facts.

“When they report farmers, herdsmen clashes, they report it as if it was brought by the Buhari administration, forgetting that the first recorded clash of herdsmen and farmers was in 1947. They have also forgotten that in 2013, there was the Agatu killing.

“We have number of killings recorded between farmers and herdsmen which took place under the Jonathan presidency. For you to understand the herdsmen, farmers’ clash and address it holistically, you must understand the context very well.

“There are attempts today to look at herdsmen, farmers’ clashes as religious, ethnic issues. Some people have even gone as far as calling it ethnic cleansing or Islamisation. I think that is very unfortunate because largely, the farmers, herdsmen clash is a fallout of the demographic explosion, climate change, economic and social issues,” he said.

On the call by Nobel laureate, Prof, Wole Soyinka that President Buhari should seek foreign assistance, the minister said the Federal Government believes in the capacity of the security chiefs to address the situation, adding that there is already a Multinational Joint Task Force which is currently working to tackle insecurity, especially the Boko Haram menace.

“I have confidence in our security agencies. Don’t forget that right now, we have the Multinational Joint Task Force which is happening in some cross-border crimes especially Boko Haram.  I think we trust our security agencies.

“We have the equipment, personnel, resolve and political will to handle these issues. But like I explained to you, it is not a matter of ethnicity or religion, it is a fallout of demographic, social, environmental and economic issues and it is being addressed. Unless you know the root cause, you won’t even know the measures to apply.

“Unless we understand that this is purely an environmental, demographic issue, that is why the solutions we have proffered, ranching… I think it is a long time measure that will be the solution. We are also encouraging our farmers to adopt more technology so that they can get more yields because the land is no longer there”. (Daily Independent)