The government of President Muhammadu Buhari has scandalously blamed the implementation of anti-open grazing bill in some states as the major cause of the killings by Fulani herdsmen.
Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali stated this while speaking with State House correspondents at the end of a meeting of security chiefs with President Muhammadu Buhari, saying the decision of some states to enact laws banning open grazing triggered the violence.
It is sickening that a government of a civilised country is justifying violence. No matter the provocation, nothing justifies the butchering of innocent people, including women and children.
Unfortunately, Mr. Dan-Ali found no words of comfort for the families of those who lost their loved ones and bread winners.
In any case, Dan-Ali urged Nigerians to learn to accept foreigners in their areas.
According to him it was illegal for state governments to set up and arm forest guards.
“Whatever crisis that happened at any time, there has to be remote and immediate causes,” the minister said.
“What are the remote causes of this farmers/herders crisis? Since Independence, we know there used to be a route whereby these cattle rearers use.
“Cattle rearers are all over the nation, you go to Bayelsa, you see them, you go to Ogun, you see them. If those routes are blocked, what happens? These people are Nigerians, it’s just like you going to block river or shoreline, does that make sense to you?
“These are the remote causes. But what are the immediate causes? It is the grazing law. These people are Nigerians, we must learn to live together with each other, that is basic.
“Communities and other people must learn how to accept foreigners within their enclave, finish!” he said.
The minister also faulted the decision by some states to set up and arm forest guards.
It is illegal, he said.
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