Two key Fulani leaders in Nigeria have defended the rights of Fulani herdsmen to arm themselves with AK-47 rifles and other sophisticated weapons.
Chairman, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association in Plateau State, Alhaji Mohammed Nuru Abdullahi, revealed to Punch Newspapers, that: “Fulani herdsmen do not have any security backup because they are in the rural areas where the security operatives may not be able to access.”
“Now cattle rustling and killing of Fulani have become a lucrative business. Therefore, Fulani herdsmen will do everything possible to protect their lives and property since government has failed to do so.”
“The Fulani use the AK47 for defence since the government has failed to protect them.”
Similarly, National President, Arewa United Consultative Forum, Alhaji Ado Dansudu, said: “Are you saying that they should not defend themselves? The government cannot protect them because they are always in the bush and security agents cannot be following them with helicopters, so they need to protect themselves.”
What now: The situation is apparently deeper than thought. First, the government needs to address the menace of cattle rustlers, then subsequently disarm Fulani herdsmen.
Leave a reply