The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Taraba state Chapter has accused President Muhammadu Buhari of doing very little to address security challenges posed by Fulani herdsmen because he is sympathetic to his kinsmen. The Christian body made this known on Monday in a statement issued by its Chairman, Ben Ubeh.
He challenged the President to stop playing politics with the safety of lives and property of Nigerians from other ethnic groups. He warned that if nothing is done to curb the menace of herdsmen, the nation could risk another civil war.
“We call on President Muhammadu Buhari, the northern emirs and the patrons of Miyetti Allah to rise up to the occasion and prevent the country from going into another needless civil war.
“Cattle breeding is a private business and you cannot force your private business on the resources of others. If the federal government creates cattle colonies, would they create piggery colonies across states in the north?
“We support ranching as the best solution to the killings going on in the country. Ranching is the way to go and the federal government should stop playing politics with the lives of innocent Nigerians to please a particular group in the country.
“For now, Mr. President seems to be sympathetic with his kinsmen, going by his handling of herdsmen killings in the country.”
Ubeh lamented that herdsmen have killed 68 people in Taraba state and warned that the people may be forced to take up arms to defend themselves if the government fails to protect them.
“We lost over 68 people, including pastors in the attack in Lau and 11 in Wukari just last week; and pockets of killings are still going on. These killings are happening despite efforts by Governor Ishaku to restore peace in the state.
“We believe that these killings in the state are part of a renewed plot by some sponsored elements within and outside the state to destabilise the peace and cause people to flee as 2019 elections draw near. We, therefore, urge the federal government to live up to her constitutional responsibility of protecting the lives and property of the people,” he added.
