CURBING THE EXCESSES OF FULANI HERDSMEN..... By Dotun George

The Benue State Governor, Mr. Samuel Ortom, has lamented that the killings currently going on in Agatu Local Government Area of his state is getting out of hand.
He said the situation, which had led to the death of many people and the destruction of several settlements, had degenerated.

My Take.............

SHOCK, disbelief and anger yesterday trailed the alleged killing of hundreds of persons in four Agatu communities in Benue State by marauding Fulani herdsmen and militiamen.

In a society, or state where the chief security officer appeared to be helpless and cry for help when he should be one that should provide all the necessary help to salvage the ugly situation, that is a society on its way to precipice. We have a deficient system at hand, the state Governors are refers to as chief security officer of their states but unfortunately they are not in control of the state security apparatus at their disposal. That on its own calls for concern and reform.

Our deficient system and structure provided space for state commissioner of police but the commissioner does not take order from the Governor, only from the Inspector General of Police in Abuja.

One of the potential danger and threat that we must do something on as quick as we can as a nation, is to curb the excesses and over zealousness of these Fulani herdsmen. The invasion of Fulani herdsmen into villages and communities, and killings of the natives has been going on for years in our country and it seems that those that should do something look away or appear to be helpless.

Decentralization and devolution of power, enacting the law that will give us state police and proper equipment of all the state security apparatus will go along way to salvage the ugly situation. And again, government should be looking at the direction of providing a grazing fields for these Fulani herdsmen within their territories.
Plateau state, Benue and some few other states have become a victim over the years. It is high time we take a bold step to end wastages, violence and carnage going on across the country.