attacks and killings by bandits, killer-herdsmen and kidnappers of Nigerians, with a new twist being the shooting down of a Nigeria Air Force fighter jet, have led some northern groups to call on President Muhmmadu Buhari to declare the perpetrators as terrorists.
“Again, this year, with the commencement of another rainy season, the onslaughts have resumed which coincide with the period when our farming communities need to be on their farms. With particular reference are the recent attacks on communities in Zangon Kataf local government areas where no fewer than 100 persons have been massacred within seven days, 12 villages completely decimated and over 90 percent of Atyap land deserted by inhabitants over fears of uncertainty.
“But if labelling them officially as terrorists would change the situation, it should be welcome. And I don’t think even the kidnappers and bandits see themselves as anything but terrorist. We place so much emphasis on name tags and not the essence of issues. Speaking to LEADERSHIP last night, the president of the Middle Belt Forum, Dr Bitrus Pogu said the government must stop its grandstanding and declare the killer-herdsmen terrorists, adding that their activities have brought hardship to the people of the region, in addition to impending hunger ahead since famers can no longer go to the farm for fear of being attacked.
“A killer is a killer, whether a herdsman or whatever name he or she is called. If the government does not declare these killer-herdsmen, bandits and kidnappers terrorists and stem their activities, communities will begin to mobilise themselves.” The apex sociocultural group, Arewa Consultative Forum , through its national publicity secretary, Emmanuel Yawe, said bandits and kidnappers’ activities are terrorist in nature but “because they are not coordinated as a group and amorphous in nature, it will be difficult for government to classify them as terrorists like the Boko Haram and Independent People of Biafra .
Miyetti Allah said it should not be linked to such criminal groups, adding that it does not to complain whenever such people are killed. “Middle Belt is a group that has no base. Middle Belt of what? They are politically and culturally confused. Sources also disclosed that the unknown gunmen were later ambushed by some policemen, but it was not clear the number of casualties on the side of the yet-to-be identified gunmen.
The source claimed that four policemen in uniform and a suspected cleric were among those that died during the attack, adding the remains of the officers and others had been taken to the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital , Ituku-Ozalla mortuary. “Upon receipt of the information, a detachment of police personnel comprising of Police Mobile Force, Counter Terrorism Unit, Vigilante and Hunters with support from the military were immediately deployed to the area where the attackers were repelled.
Speaking on a live phone-in radio programme monitored in Port Harcourt yesterday, a relative of three of the kidnap victims, Sobarasua Sokari, said the kidnappers were demanding N10 million for each of the victims. “Knowing what the situation is right now, they cannot even raise up to N10,000 for their relatives to be released.
Recall that 10 staff of the centre were abducted following an attack on the medical facility and a neighbouring police station. In Benue State, members of Ochoro Community in Konshisha local government area have fled for safety as gunmen allegedly attacked the community, killing a traditional ruler, Chief Okpe Denis Ijoko, and eight other people whose corpses are yet to be recovered.
Nigeria Latest News, Nigeria Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Some people would’ve insulted Buhari had bandits killed Air Force pilot- Adesina - Punch NewspapersThe most widely read newspaper in Nigeria
Read more »
Some people would’ve insulted Buhari had bandits killed Air Force pilot -Adesina - Punch NewspapersThe most widely read newspaper in Nigeria
Read more »
Nigeria has lost its soul, Catholic bishops tell BuhariThe Catholic Bishops of Ibadan Ecclesiastical Province have condemned what they termed selective administration of justice by Buhari
Read more »
Sunday Igboho: Pastor Adegboye issues stern warning to Buhari govtThe Senior Pastor of the Worksword of God Church, Olabisi Gabriel Adegboye, has issued a stern warning to the President Muhammadu Buhari government over
Read more »
Talk to Nigerians to douse tension - Ex-Oyo Governor, Ladoja tells BuhariA former Governor of Oyo State, Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja has advised President Muhamadu Buhari, to without wasting time, address Nigerians on
Read more »
Buhari Not Nursing Third Term Agenda Like Obasanjo – APC Slams PDP | Sahara ReportersThe APC said, at the appropriate time it would come up with a consensus and agreeable presidential candidate that would represent it in the 2023 general elections.
Read more »