IWA to FG: Provide relieve materials to victims of Fulani herdsmen attack

Igbo World Assembly (IWA) has urged the government to provide as a matter of urgency, shelter, food, clothing, drinks, medicine and funds to the victims and families of affected Fulani herdsmen.

The group expressed concern on why the Fulani herdsmen should be allowed to carry concealed weapons to kill innocent citizens of Nigeria in their communal farmlands.

The group in a statement jointly signed by its Chairman , Dr. Nwachukwu Anakwenze , and Oliver Nwankwor, Secretary General noted that the corporate unity of Nigeria was seriously challenged by present administration’s inaction and nonchalant attitude to stop the menace of the herdsmen.

“ IWA posits that this insensitive behavior and inaction of government gives credence to the agitation of Biafra and Oduduwa out of this present chaotic Nigeria. We are of the opinion that the impetus of the killings by the Fulani herdsmen may have been aided by those in the corridors of powers.

“Who actually owns the herds? Why are the herdsmen allowed to carry weapons? Why are the security forces in Nigeria not doing their job? Who are behind this systematic agenda?Who regulates the activities of the herdsmen and their herds?”, the group asked.

With this development, IWA in the statement has called on Southern Governors, Senators, members of the House of Representatives and State Assemblies to act and defend their citizens.

According to the group, “What we do not want is to reach a situation whereby citizens will arm themselves and protect their lives and properties”.

Accordingly, IWA noted that the first duty of the government is the protection of lives and property of its citizens, adding that it is illegal for citizens of Nigeria to possess and bear arms.

“Yet the marauding herds men are violating the second point above and the tiers of governments are not performing their duties per the first point leaving the impression that there might be a collusion between the herdsmen and the governments. To make matters worse the representatives of the people, such as the members of the Senate and the House also leave the impression that they are in on this conspiracy”, IWA added in the statement.
IWA’s demands:
Going forward, the group noted that the governments of the affected states and zones should immediately establish rules controlling the movement of animals within their areas and enforce the rules aggressively.

The group further demanded that the power to regulate agriculture is in the concurrent list of what both the federal government and the states can do.

“ The states have powers and should use them. The owners or the Herds should be known and registered within the states, this will help to ascertain responsibility.

“The Herdsmen should possess legitimate identity and be registered by State Government to distinguish herdsmen from criminals.

“That the Federal government establishes promptly, guidelines that follow the principle of live and let live. The herdsmen should follow the scientific cattle farming practices found in the other parts of the world and not the mosaic agricultural principles long forgotten.

“That the Federal government designate and declare these killings as a terrorist act.

That the FG enforces its laws banning the possession of weapons. The rampant killing of farmers in their farms by herdsmen carrying AK 47 should be enforced or the laws governing owning of arms should be exorcised from the law books”, the statement further noted.