Has any northern governors pleaded with Nigeria over apparently killings by Fulani herdsmen especially in the Southern part of the country?
After suspending one of his Chief security officers in Edo State aftermath the killing the lynching of northerns caught with assorted munitions in Edo State of which several northern governors have publicly condemned but have never called their marauders to order, Governor Monday Okpebholo was in Kano State to plead to Hausa/Fulani over the actions in his state. In short, he spoke in Hausa language, showcasing where he belongs.
A governor can’t be taking full responsibility of security in his state, yet, some sojourners are parading the same state with different flavors of weapons and are dubbed “Hunters.” When did the Nigerian state permit non-state actors moving about with guns?
While the event that saw the 16 northerners moving about with guns has sparked widespread outrage and condemnation from various quarters, including political leaders and community groups, none has pointed out with question – what were the northerners doing with guns in Edo State?
Okpebholo visiting Kano State to express condolences to the families of the victims and pledged compensation for their losses, what about the farms and people that the northern herders have supposedly pummeled in the state? .
Okpebholo’s gesture was but a yes-man’s gesture which in its entirety was not an attempt to address grievances, but cowardly, given that there has been reprisal attacks on his people by allegedly those he went to show comradeship after the lynched 16.
Okpebholo’s response to what happened in his state was insufficient or misdirected, especially he has never in full or parts acknowledged the role of local security forces or vigilante groups in contributing to quell insecurity in Edo State. Rather, he bashed them to please Hausa/Fulani not minding what Edo residents are suffering in the hands of Fulani herdsmen.
~ Odimegwu Onwumere, is Chairman, Advocacy Network On Religious And Cultural Coexistence (ANORACC)
