Herdsmen Killings: Stop Nigeria’s Breakup, Ohakim Advises Buhari
By Austin Echefu
Former Governor of Imo State, Dr Ikedi Ohakim on Tuesday called on President Muhammadu Buhari to stop Nigeria’s diatintegration in the face of the killings by herdsmen in parts of country, particularly in Benue State.
In a press release signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Collins Ughalaa, the former Governor said that “history now beckons on President Buhari to halt Nigeria’s disintegration by tackling head-on the security situation in the country and stopping the marauding herdsmen from destroying Nigeria and not engaing in blame games”.
He congratulated the Nigerian Armed Forces on the Nigerian Armed Forces Remembrance Day that was held across the country on Monday, January 15, 2018, even as he recalled the sacrifices of our soldiers, saying that on daily basis they put their life on the line to protect our country’s territorial integrity.
He added that the sacrifices the men of the Armed Forces make should be emulated by every Nigerian, especially those in the public service, as such is the height of patriotism.
He called on the President, governors and other elected leaders at all levels to commit to elevating the Armed Forces Remembrance Day from a mere ritual of speech making and laying of wreaths to formulating better welfare packages and conditions of service to the soldiers who risk all to protect the country. He also noted that a special scheme be established to take care of the families of our fallen heroes, saying that it would boost the morale of our soldiers.
Dr Ohakim, however, expressed shock at the rising tide of insecurity across the country, wandering why the menace of herdsmen should not be tackled with the kind of speed and force the Armed Forces tackled the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
He said that the recent killings in parts of the Middle Belt, particularly Benue State, should not be allowed to repeat, even as he said that Nigerians should not be forced to bear arms and defend themselves.
According to him, “the security situation in the country now places the burden of the unity of the country on the Armed Forces” and urged them to “step up their game, so that Nigerians would continually love and appreciate them”.
He warned them not to allow themselves be dragged into politics and thereby be part of any acts to destroy Nigeria, saying that they should not disappoint Nigerians at this critical time.
The former Governor also called on President Muhammadu Buhari to also improve on the security of lives and property across the country, “especially in areas where herdsman now ride roughshod with impunity”. He said that a situation where herdsmen always overrun communities without a whimper from the Presidency in a country where there is a President calls for more worry.
Dr Ohakim called on the leaders “not to give the impression that some lives are more important than others in Nigeria, by treating some people with the iron arm while treating others with kids glove”.
He commiserated with the victims of the herdsmen attacks in Benue State, saying that all should give Nigeria a chance to survive, even as he said that no offence justifies the attacks.
