How Buhari, Sultan Of Sokoto, Lamido Of Adamawa Can Return Peace To Nigeria – Abonu

The Deputy Governor of Benue State, Benson Abounu, believes that a word from President Muhammadu Buhari to killer herders could end the persistent killings in the state and Nigeria as a whole.

Abonu held that some drastic steps need to be taken to put an end to killings by some herders, while Fulani leaders need to speak up against the attacks by herders on host communities.

The deputy governor expressed his thoughts on Tuesday while appearing on an interview on Channels Television breakfast programme, 'Sunrise Daily'.

“One very simple but effective response is that – a word from the President of this country condemning what is going on and asking the Fulanis to stop these terrible actions of theirs. I believe this will go a very long way,” he said.

The Deputy Governor disclosed that he has made the same suggestion at many meetings, some of which are the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), Northern Governors’ Forum, and National Economic Council meetings.

Abounu explained that he has reached out to the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Abubakar, and Lamido of Adamawa, Muhammadu Aliyu on the need to address the situation.

“I have also put a solemn request to the Sultan of Sokoto, and even to Lamido of Adamawa, who is the worldwide leader of the Fulani, that we need to hear from them. Fulani need to hear from them, their leaders condemning what they are doing and asking them to put a stop to it,” he said.

He expressed confidence that this approach will solve the security situation, adding that, “It is a very simple thing but I believe it will be an effective one. We are yet to hear that, the Fulani are yet to hear that.”

He then lamented that the body language of the leaders of the Fulani has contributed to the atrocities committed by killer herders in the country.

“The body language of the leaders of Fulani in our society today is a very serious issue to be addressed,” he said.

Abounu’s concerns came following a series of fatal attacks on Benue communities. About 42 persons were reportedly killed in separate attacks in two local councils of Benue State on May 28.

The affected councils of the state included the Katsina-Ala and Gwer West Local Councils, leaving the people of the communities in despair while many of them sought refuge at the IDP Camps.

Residents in the affected communities of Shikaan, Mbagena, and Kpav said the attackers suspected to be Fulani herdsmen invaded their communities in the early hours of Thursday and started killing people.

The deputy governor said Nigeria’s security situation has gotten worse and he needs to address the country, rather than issue press statements through media aides.

“Garba Shehu is not the President of the country, he is only an appointee. I think we have reached the stage when the President needs to come out and address this country,” the Benue Deputy governor said.