BETWEEN POLITICS AND‘ BLOODITICS’

Israel A. Ebije argues that it is time to tame the herders-farmers violence

WE MUST ACT FAST TOWARDS BRINGING LASTING SOLUTION TO THIS HORRIBLE MONSTER FAST GROWING BIGGER THAN ITS CAGE

The recent barbaric killing of seven Fulani men in Gboko local government area of Benue State stands condemned. Hoodlums involved in the attack operating under any guise have committed a felony and must be handed the punishment according to the full measure of the law. The mindless execution of the victims is the degeneration of law and order I have always prayed Nigeria will not descend into. We have played so much politics of silence or worthless comments since killings by herders got to an alarming proportion in parts of the country with intense occurrence in some north-central states. Too much politics is breeding “blooditics” from both sides of the divide.

Looking for who to blame for what happened in Benue is unfortunate and sadly characteristic of how we find ourselves where we are today. The blame antics has trickled down from government to ordinary Nigerians who take pleasure in shifting responsibilities over stance they refused to undertake. Some people blame the mass media of information and communication for alleged skewed reports on the attacks by herders in communities across the country. Some blame the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) for over blowing the herders, farmers clash. Few hours after the Gboko seven were burnt, some people took to social media platforms calling out CAN, insisting they instigated the execution. Same people trying to fan the flame into a religious crisis forgot how vehement they were in support of the mindless killings by herders either by maintaining silence or engaging in puerile arguments tacitly endorsing the barbaric onslaught of innocent Nigerians. The growing tension will definitely do no one any good and that is what the Gboko incident has made some who were clapping for the killers just realised.

We must act fast towards bringing lasting solution to this horrible monster fast growing bigger than its cage. With the recent declaration by the president of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore Sociocultural Association, Bello Abdullahi Bodejo declaring trouble if President Muhammadu Buhari is not re-elected in 2019, it is indeed a big deal that the country is in an ugly situation. The position of Bodejo further confirms the fear of some Nigerians who think the Fulanis herders are uncontrollable on account of their ex-grand patron as president. The more many want to convince themselves the happenings across the country are isolated, the position of the association and some of their supporters suggest otherwise. Sadly, only a few are evil-minded among the lot. With a heavy stereotype hanging on their persons, who can decipher as Fulanis are fast becoming people associated with terror?

For those heaping the blame of the escalating situation between herders and host communities on the media, social platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc., it must be stated that the platforms do not operate on their own except handlers feed it with content they want people to know about. Mainstream media organisations have been able to enrich their stories by extracting comments from social platforms. A good example is the Malam Nasir el- Rufai position on the Fulani- farmers’ fiasco where he stated that if you kill a Fulani, you owe a debt repayable. Nigerians should blame themselves for the monster they refused to kill. A gorgon they allowed to grow on account of ethno-religious interests. A monster they fed with meals of encouragement either by saying nothing or singing praises. A monster they pampered with money despite the hideous crimes committed. A monster they have made so invisible and untouchable.

The Minister of Defence Mansur Dan-Ali and the Inspector General of Police in their separate submissions said the decision of some states to enact laws banning open grazing triggered the violence. The Chairman, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, Plateau State, Mr. Nuru Abdullahi, said nobody could deprive Fulani herdsmen of their constitutional right of free movement. We may recall that President Buhari once begged host communities to live in harmony with herders, blaming the frequent clashes on “population” growth. From the descending narratives, there is no definite warning against using violence to secure “lost” cattle routes. It has been a medley of sweet showers of excuses for a violent trend capable of tearing the country asunder, as frustrated Nigerians are beginning to arm themselves to respond to each attack.

Apparently desperate and frustrated, the National Council of Tiv Youths (NCTY) and the Middle Belt Youths Council (MBYC) have taken a position to defend their region against herders. The President of the National Council of Tiv Youths, Dr. John Akperashi, said his members are resolved to die while making sure further attacks by the dreaded herdsmen do not happen. Asake, the General Secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) expressed concern over the rate of killings by herders. The association blamed the killings on alleged “government protection from counterattack, arrest or prosecution.” Whatever Asake statement suggests the Christian-based association is thinking the herders have gone beyond the tussle for routes to a religious warfare. That’s where the situation gets uglier, from the religious coloration between the alleged conquerors and vanquished.

This leaves people in vulnerable areas with no alternative than to defend themselves. Almost all the proposed solutions to the frequent killing spree are politically based. Sadly, all the sabre rattling over cows, Nigeria is not on the top 20 cow producing countries in the world. With the United States of America leading in beef production, ranching has been their strategy and no violence has been recorded between farmers and cattle owners.

The seriousness of our foolishness as a nation is reflected each time we seek subterfuge for criminals all because we seek to protect ethnic, religious or corporate interests instead of strengthening our corporate integrity. Even the criminals have realised our mediocre stance and they are basking in it as innocent Nigerians are slain on daily bases. The law of the jungle is setting in, as constitutional authorities begin to take the back seat.