The barbarism of Fulani herdsmen: An eyesore to the nation's security setup
Rage and lamentations have rending the air over the dastardly acts of annihilation perpetrated by the Fulani herdsmen across various states in the nation. The latest of their attack is visited upon different communities in Benue state where trails of blood and sorrow have been left with many persons counting their losses as the herdsmen wreaked havoc. These devious herdsmen appear to be out to prove a point of their own as they remain implacable, and every morally sane person can only imagine what this is really about- is there any regard for the sacredness of life?
These herdsmen take delight in satisfying their bloodthirstiness, and are ready to obliterate those who stand in their way. But then how has the government responded to these incidences [of the herdsmen's vicious attacks on their innocent victims]? What we have been hearing are words of promises that those behind these gruesome killings will be brought to book and we earnestly look forward to that very time when the real perpetrators will be persecuted. However, it remains to be seen how much longer we have to wait with the evident dilly-dallying in the deployment of military force to the state. This is even more perplexing when one begins to ponder on the statement attributed to the President, insinuating that the government will not employ force in dealing with the brutal Fulani herdsmen- that, to me, is really disappointing and demeaning considering the devastating blows with which these herdsmen strike those whom they oppress. If not against an enemy of the state in the mold of the 'terrorist herdsmen' then upon which group should the wrath of the military armoury be unleash?
Here is what we have got: the herdsmen are getting more daring as they are now attacking police officers- the attack on the mobile unit at Awashuwa village is just one of such- and this definitely does not augur well for the nation's security arm and the country in general. The attacks on those security operatives is just one of those things that are apparent when the 'sword is left in the sheath' while up against a deadly group like the Fulani herdsmen. It is noteworthy to recall that aftermath the herdsmen's attack on some communities in Benue state back in 2017, members of the Federal House of Representatives proposed that the Federal Government set up a task force to supervise the disarmament of the herdsmen but that (idea) did not appear to make any sense [to the FG], and about one year after that incidence (of 2017), Benue state- and Nigeria as a whole- has been hit once again by violence meted out by the 'unrepentant' Fulani herdsmen.
My heart bleeds the more when I hear top government functionaries trying to bring talks of politicization and also the fact that the herdsmen deserve more from the government into the matter. These are not the kinds of words Nigerians want to hear at this very point in time. There is no need to divert attention; we only wish to know who these 'killer herdsmen' are, and in effect, a call for them to be made to face the full weight of the law. Muddling things up will not do us any good neither would the multitude of condolences assure [the residents of the affected communities as well as the general populace] of the government's resolution to provide them with the needed security.