Herdsmen Clashes - A Rising Body Count

26 killed as herdsmen sack Benue village in fresh attack Vanguard 7th March, 2018

24 killed, 20 others feared missing in fresh Benue attacks Premium Times 6th March 2018

Kogi monarch, eight others killed in ‘herdsmen attack’ Nigeria Galleria 19th March 2018

As herdsmen attack Benue church…: 2 Catholic priests, 17 worshippers killed.. The Sun 24th March, 2018

** One Killing Too Many.. **

How did get this bad? What must have made the Fulani herdsmen who are known for their hospitality and ability to dwell peacefully with host communities to suddenly become hostile?

Growing up in the North of Nigeria, the notable identity of any herdsman is his unique stick even if he isn't with any cattle.

The only dangerous tool could be a machete which they use to clear high grasses when their csttle are grazing. Fura da Nunu is the delicacy the Fulani leave their hosts to relish for the period they dwell in any community. In fact in some communities which are far away from their homes, the Fulani have intermarried and even settled.

The first case of Herders violence I could remember was way back in 1989 when it was reports that a farmer was shot in the eye by a Fulani archer after he confronted the tribe for encroaching into his farm land. This was even in western Nigeria.

By the late 90's the popular Kaduna - Lagos express way became a den for robbers when were known to be Fulani in the Birnin Gwari area of the highway.

Successive governments turned a blind eye to this sudden new norm. By 2012, the Fulani robbers became more daring and increased robbery to three times a day especially on Fridays.

I had a personal experience when during mu first stint with the WHO as a field survey personnel. While en route a settlement called Kuyello, we observed a young Fulani boy who couldn't be more than 17years old cut through the high grasses into the main road and he lifted up a rifle. Our driver screamed Ina Lilah and took an immediate turn off thebroad.
Despite escaping harm, we were told the next day that the Herders attacked a nearby community and killed the leader of the local vigilante group.

By this time, Fulani Herders attacks have become more rampant especially in Southern Kaduna. From Zangon Kataf to the Atakar Hills, there were news of massacres which the government did nothing to curb.

Now the entire nation seems to be under siege as hardly a day goes by without reports of massacres or wanton killings by Herdsmen.

We can only hope that this Government woukd take decisive steps before entire tribes will be annihilated.

God bless Nigeria..