Fulani Herdsmen Attacks: 8 Dangerous Implications Of President Buhari's Silence

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The brutal killings by men suspected to be fulani herders have left so many families in deep sorrow and anguish. Within the last two weeks, more than 81 Nigerians have reportedly been killed by suspected Fulani herdsmen in Benue State alone. Some weekends ago, a clash between the Fulani herdsmen and local farmers in Niger state left no fewer than 11 people dead.

Nigeria's President, Mohammadu Buhari is quick to react to tragic situations in far away climes, but here in his home, the President is silent and yet to address the issue of herdsmen attacks – that have claimed thousands of lives. The crimes committed by these herders are highly condemnable and should not be tolerated in any sane society. President Buhari needs to understand that his silence comes with many direct and indirect implications, most of which threaten Nigeria’s unity and breed instability.

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Here is a quick look at some of the implications of Buhari’s silence:

1. Ethnic Conflict: The silence of President Buhari may fuel ethnic conflict in Nigeria. Since the President has not mentioned anything on an incident that left over 92 persons dead within 2 weeks, these criminals may find it hard to understand the gruesomeness of their acts. Also, this could lead to deadlier reprisal attacks and, in this way, Nigerians are further divided along ethnic lines.

2. Bias: President Muhammadu Buhari will continually seem biased with his silence on the herdsmen. Just as the president continues to talk tough on the secessionists and militants in southern Nigeria, the Fulani herdsmen from his own ethnic division are ‘spared.’

3. Weak Nigerian Security Forces: The inability of the Nigerian Forces to contain the herdsmen menace further substantiates claims that the Nigerian security forces are weak and in disarray.

4. Unfulfilled Mandate: President Mohammadu Buhari rode into power on the mandate of tackling insecurity in any form it rears its head. The herdsmen reprisal attacks that have left scores dead spread its tentacles in Buhari's government. If these attacks prolong with President Buhari in silence, it will amount to an unfulfilled electoral mandate.

5. Incompetence: President Buhari is not just anybody. He is a two-time Commander-In-Chief, a retired army General and one of the most respected and decorated officers in the history of the Nigerian Army. As Commander-In-Chief, and tough ex-general, he has a responsibility to take a stiff military action against the herdsmen. By keeping quiet, he reinforces the impression that he has become soft not up to the task anymore.

6. Repeating The Errors of the Previous Administration: President Buhari is not just anybody. He is a two-time Commander-In-Chief, a retired army General and one of the most respected and decorated officers in the history of the Nigerian Army. As a General, fulani's herdsmen attacks must be of interest to him, and properly dealt with. By keeping quiet, he reinforces the impression that he is no better than the erstwhile administration of Goodluck Jonathan that also had major lapses with security.

7. Politicising the issue: President Buhari's silence may mean that he reads a political meaning to the herdsmen gruesome attacks. As was the case with the kidnapped Chibok girls, when former President Goodluck Jonathan initially thought it was the action of the opposition to dent the image of his administration but later realised the girls were truly whisked away from their college. Coupled with the reports from the Presidency quarters that the pictures from the herdsmen attacks are imported pictures from Congo attacks – all these mean that President Buhari is taking the issue as one of the tactics of the opposition against him.

8. APC's Chances Will Be Limited: 2019 General Elections are almost on us where Nigerians will go to the polls en masse. Before 2019, we have elections this year in Ondo, Edo states. With the spate of brutal attacks on innocent civilians by suspected herders, the chances are slim for the All Progressives Congress at the polls , judging from the silence on a very sensitive issue from the Federal Government.

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It is already late but there is still time for the President to correct the course of happenings. The President who promised change cannot keep quiet when herdsmen leave scores, with hundreds of civilians killed in their wake. He needs to speak to Nigerians and the world urgently and reassure everyone about his commitment to tackling insecurity.
 
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