The Nigerian Senate has exonerated Fulani herdsmen from the ongoing killings in Agatu, Benue State and some parts of the country.
According to the Senate, the crime of mass murder across Nigerian communities were being perpetrated by some people they labeled “overpowered” Boko Haram terrorists, not Fulani herdsmen as widely believed.
This revelation was part of the Senate’s resolutions that accompanied a motion moved by Emmanuel Bwacha (PDP-Taraba State) on “the need to urgently flush out Boko Haram insurgents reassembling in Taraba State.”
“The Senate is aware that Nigerian Army has recorded tremendous success in the war against insurgents in the States of Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa.
“There is a change of tactics by insurgents who now parade as herdsmen to make it difficult for the public to identify them,” Bwacha said.
Contributing to the motion, Barnabas Gemade (APC-Benue State) said Boko Haram insurgents were “mixing with herdsmen to cause trouble.”
Gemade recalled that there was a community in Zamfara state during his visit that had lost over 250 residents to Boko Haram insurgents parading themselves as herdsmen.
The lawmaker, who disclosed that Agatu was under siege, asked the government to make sure herdsmen have grazing space for cattle in order to mitigate the hazard of destruction of farms.
Abubakar Kyari (APC-Borno State), in his contribution to the debate, posited that Fulani herdsmen should not be described as “unfriendly.”
“When Fulani herdsmen or Kanuri are being tagged as unfriendly, it portends danger for the country and freedom to live and work anywhere,” Kyari said.
The red chamber unanimously condemned the killings, kidnappings, destruction of property and farms by “Boko Haram insurgents” in communities across Benue, Taraba, Plateau and other states.
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