SINCE I published an article with the above title on April 15, 2016, I have been inundated with reactions from readers. Below are some of them.
Herdsmen, Boko Haram the same
Herdsmen (Fulani militia) and the most dreaded Boko Haram sect share and promote same political cum religious ideology: To conquer, expand and dominate. 08091214564
Farmers meant to carry weapons too
The Fulani herdsmen are making farmers to carry sophisticated weapons, as APC government encourages them by not condemning their actions in the middle and southern Nigeria. It’s only people’s crops cows must feed on to enrich the Fulani.
08030878755
Cheap Igbo propaganda
What a pity; cheap Igbo propaganda against Fulani. How can a columnist descend so low and accuse Fulani herdsmen of bearing AK47 assault riffle without citing an instance? What Igbo hara-kiri. Why can’t you analyse issues objectively. What a pity. Ibrahim Garba, Abuja. 08075083305
War is looming
Except for the fact that I do not know which ethnic group in Nigeria constitutes the majority in the membership of Boko Haram, I would have suggested that the Fulani herdsmen be deployed to replace members of the Nigerian Armed Forces in the fight against the insurgents since the herdsmen are better trained and better armed and have the same characteristics in mindless killings, as the insurgents. And now that the President is of the same ethnicity with the herdsmen, their dedication will be assured. Or is it the practical way to force the Koran into the Atlantic Ocean or a way of protecting a Fulani man in power? Whichever. It is a dangerous corruption and a looming war. And to ignore it is worse than any type of corruption I know.
Sir Donatus Onyebuchi Nwodoh, 07083778883
Military has failed
The military was created to protect the territorial integrity of the country and to defend her against external and internal aggressions. I feel the men who had wreaked havoc on fellow citizens in the name of self-defence and for those saying that the Fulani are not from Nigeria but foreigners are playing politics. Why are the same people crying the loudest when the “foreign” herdsmen suffer loss of cattle or men? Military have failed in their constitutional mandate to defend the aggression on the country by their recent inaction against the rampaging Fulani herdsmen. 08066025669
We’re waiting for them
The Fulani-led government knows how to foment trouble. They introduced Boko Haram to give Islam strong boost against other religions and they ended with nothing. I am sure the budget must have captured amount they will use to reintegrate and reconstruct North to the detriment of others, whereas Lagos-Calabar rail project was not included. Fulani herdsmen supported by Fulani-led government are going about killing people in the name of cattle rearing, yet nobody is talking. Now government is trying to pass a grazing bill to make herdsmen own land without the hosts’ consent. We are waiting. A child that says the mother will not sleep will never sleep as well. Isdore, 08032253351
You’re right
What Nigeria needs are men like you that will say the truth. Sure, we have another Boko Haram in the making. Barnabas, Zonkwa, KD. 08143002123
This can only happen here
It is only in Nigeria that cattle are marched across thousands of kilometres through farms and highways. Could the Fulani herdsmen and their AK47s be actually on the march to dip the Koran in the sea as Ahmadu Bello proposed? They have become bolder since 2015. Chukwuka, 08053012997
Re: Beyond condemnation and tough talks (April 29, 2016)
You must be dreaming
It’s like you are dreaming? Is Buhari no longer the grand patron of Fulani herdsmen? I’m afraid we don’t tell ourselves the gospel truth. Buhari gained power through Boko Haram. If not, which instrument did he and his brothers intend to use and make Jonathan’s government ungovernable? I stand to be corrected. 08179754198
Igbo must defend themselves
Ndigbo must rise to defend themselves. The killings by herdsmen is an evil conspiracy. If not so, who gave them the right to carry weapons? To avert these killings, Ndigbo must arm themselves. Self-defence is a natural law.
Rev J. Gold Monye. 07058882573
What govs must do
The governors should see to it that their colleagues in the North build ranches for the herdsmen and bring experts to teach and train them on modern ways of breeding cattle in their states and they should not support the grazing bill.
Feyisetan Akeeb Kareem. 08052212361
Who owns the cows?
Silence speaks volume. I concur with you on this herdsmen issue. What happened to the soldiers that dumped 76 men (also from Enugu State) at Umuahia prison? Mr. President and his military brothers, serving and retired, should tell us who owns these cows. Matthew Ndi, Lagos.
We should be fair-minded
I wish we could always be fair in our reporting.
Marauders have been wreaking havoc in Birnin Gwari, Kaduna State, Dan Sadau in Zamfara State, killing hundreds, kidnapping, etc. in the last five years. There was not any hysteria or definitive action taken by government or media campaigns to stop the rampage. So, it seems it is a Nigerian style to ignore these things until they come close to our backyards. Please, let’s all be honest to ourselves and apply same principles across board for the common good of the country. Concerned from Abuja.
People should defend themselves
What a nation? People should stop wailing and lamenting. Defend yourselves if this government will not step in and stop the killing. There’s limit to what I can tolerate. The election is over. Believe me, posterity will judge Buhari either fairly or otherwise. Governor Ugwuanyi, this is no crying affair. There should be no more peace talk with the sponsors of the killers. The scenario is understandable. The Fulani have police and army protections. The moment you eye them, the DSS reacts. For Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, I say: This is the anointed change you want for your people? What a shame!
Eva, Bayelsa 08058165511
We’ve in place ethnic champion
You need to impress it on the president on the need to protect the lives of citizens of the country. Is that not the primary reason for the existence of a government? The reality is that Nigeria has no leader. This is a period of interregnum because what is in place now in the name of leadership is ethnic champion and this champion does not have what it takes to ensure national cohesion. That is tragedy of the nation now. 08079922486
Igbo miss Ojukwu
Where are the Igbo leaders that will speak for us? This is a shame to Igbo nation. Fulani herdsmen killing Igbo in Igbo land? My people, my people. Dim Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the Igbo dearly miss you. Chuks D. Ajare. 08053381680