The Punch on Saturday has reported that communities and pressure groups around the Southern Parts of Nigeria have declared war against the rampaging Fulani Herdsmen.
The chilling report reveals conversation held with several groups threatening reprisal attacks against the Fulani Herdsmen. To buttress their threats, the Punch also reports that most of them have amassed weapons which they will use to defend their communities.
The report covers villages in Ogun, Osun. Ekiti, Enugu State and Akwa Ibom where Fulani Herdsmen have carried out deadly attacks. They also reported threats from groups such as OPC, Hunters and Farmers.
It’s a chilling revelation of how the Fulani Herdsmen crisis has degenerated and how we could be faced with a full scale war within these communities. Some of the scariest quotes threatening reprisal attacks suggest an imminent attack against the Herdsmen and not just self defense. See some below;
OPC
“We cannot continue to keep quiet in the face of these mindless attacks. We will never allow them to drive us out of our land. We have given them general warnings and anywhere Fulani herdsmen kill a Yoruba man, deity will fight there. I will not say more than that.
“Can any Yoruba kill Fulani in their domain? We will not allow that to happen again. The Yoruba will fight for themselves.”
Hunters in Komu
“We are ready to fight if we are pushed to doing so because we are not cowards. The Oluode (head of the hunters) will not hesitate to give members the go-ahead to attack any herdsman that grazes on farms and threaten to attack farmers.
“We will no longer tolerate their violent activities if the police or the government is not doing enough to stop it.”
Youths in Ekiti
“We are also meeting with our chapters across the 16 local government areas on the need to stop this evil against humanity and for them to be their brothers’ keeper.”
A source in the state, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the fear of being arrested, said, “The Fulani herders should know that no one has the monopoly of violence.
“If they are quick to kill farmers and destroy their farms, we will tell them they cannot do that in Ekiti State. They will find their match if they attack our people because they are not the only ones who have access to AK47 and other dangerous weapons.”
Community leader in Mgbidi, Enugu State
“Should there be any attack on my community or neighbouring villages, vigilance men will raise the alarm for the public to know. Once we suspect any negative action, we won’t be taken unaware.”
You can read the Punch Article here