'Buhari, Sultan, Emirs Funding Fulani Herdsmen'

Following the bloodletting by Fulani herdsmen leading to the death of 1,700 innocent Nigerians so far, a group, Nigerian Rescue Team (NRT) has accused President Mohammadu Buhari and northern emirs of instigating and funding the massacre of Nigerians in different parts of the country in the guise of Fulani cattle rearers.

The group which spoke in Abuja said President Buhari initiated the process by the coded message he passed to the herdsmen across the country during a recent visit to his farm in Kastina State after which it has been one invasion after another in Benue, Ondo, Enugu and Ogun States.

The group also accused northern emirs whom it said were the employers of the cattle rearers, who fund their activities including procurement of weaponry for the herdsmen.

It said contrary to claims that the Fulani attackers were Boko Haram operatives in disguise, the murderous operations of the cattle rearers had the full backing of President Buhari and the emirs.

National President of the group, Luka Nyok, and the National Secretary, Hezekia Pam, presented a timeline of events that led to the present situation with the picture of President Buhari gesticulating to cattle in his farm during a visit to his farm last year as soon as he was declared winner of the presidential election.

“The visit to his farm   as soon as he was declared winner of the election and interaction with his cattle in his farm was a coded message to Fulani herdsmen that time for mayhem has come and that his administration has the backing of every of their activities including shedding blood of innocent Nigerians and wanton destruction of property.

“This picture of the visit to his farm was quickly circulated widely by his media team for maximum effect and to pass the message to the Fulani herdsmen wherever they are. Immediately after this, the issue of Grazing Reserve Bill became topical and Fulani lawmakers started a campaign for its passage and continue to ignore the time-tested ranching system practiced all over the world.

“And of course more emboldened the Fulani herdsmen embarked on a killing spree and hunted down hundreds of innocent women, children and men in different states even when unprovoked. To shred the argument by Fulanis that they have no business with what is going on we ask: Why did the herdsmen occupy Agatu in Benue State and still does so till date after killing over 400 people? Why the sudden intense argument in favour of the Grazing Reserves Bill as a panacea to the crisis? Are lands in states owned by the federal government? Why would a Grazing Commission be empowered to acquire our national patrimony for private business? the group queried.

The group also presented a copy of the letter headed paper of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) whose national office is located at No 5, Lugard Street, Asokoro, Abuja with Board of Trustees members as Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Abubakar Sa'ad III, Malam Mohammadu Lamido Sanusi, Emir of Kano, Alhaji Dr Shehu Idris Abubakar, Emir of Zazzau, Dr Mohammed Barkindo Aliyu Mustapha, Lamido Adamawa and Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabiru Usman Nagogo, Emir of Katsina, to buttress its point.

It also circulated the pictures of the president Buhari during his visit to his cattle farm.

The group warned that most of the tribes in Nigeria are fed up with the huge provocation of the Fulani people in the guise of Fulani herdsmen and warned of an imminent breakdown of law and order.

“Every wise Nigerian especially our leaders (governors and lawmakers) whose states are the targets of these attacks should know that the only option is self defence and the only language the enemy understands is counter violence (self defence).

“If you fail to speak out or take action the following will happen to you: old and young women in your states will be raped; your parents, children, relatives would be slaughtered without any reason; law enforcement agents of Fulani extraction will direct their herdsmen to eliminate you and you will have no constituents left”, the group posited.

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