Amidst growing concerns over the current spate on insecurity in Nigeria, former Governor of Bauchi State, Isa Yuguda, on Tuesday urge President Muhammmadu Buhari to beam search light on migrant herdsmen who may be taking advantage of current situation to perpetrate mayhem.
This is just as Yuguda also urged Nigerians not to criminalise all herdsmen, especially those who have residing within the country because of the few bad ones among them, who are creating problems.
Speaking with State House correspondents at the Aso Rock Villa, after meeting President Muhammadu Buhari also called on the home Fulanis to help expose the bad eggs causing trouble for the country
“Some of these migrant criminals would have taken advantage of what has been happening and unleashing mayhem on our people but that is not acceptable. I believe Mr. President is also addressing that to the best of his ability,” Yuguda said.
Yuguda, while citing the security challenges in the northwest, added that “you may not know where the bandits are coming from. It cannot only be a local problem, it could be an international problem”
We need to beam light on those migrating from somewhere; the criminals from other parts of Africa may have assembled and say let’s go into a richer country like Nigeria and ravage them, ceased everything that they have. It could be possible and when they come, they may also have some local converts, who will want to go their own way”
He noted that Nigerians were praying for President Buhari to surmount all these problems as quickly as possible adding that “ we believe that the team he has, the Police, Army, Air Force, the Navy they are doing their best. They should add more prayers and rededicate themselves more and more so that within the shortest possible time, they can defeat the criminals”.
Yuguda who served as Minister of Aviation and now a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, blamed competition for land in Nigeria as a result of increased population for the increased insecurity
“We can’t have a country without a leadership because he (president) is there by the grace of the almighty God, because God will not come down and manage the people by himself.
So as long as the population is willing and he too has the vision to address the problem, I think we are going to win. So, really the insecurity in north east and the north west is being addressed and everybody is happy.
“We know there are quite a number of them that are criminals but criminalizing the entire herdsmen, I think, is unfair because they have been peaceful people.”
“Most of you are aware Boko Haram started in Bauchi State and by the grace of Allah, Bauchi was able to address it. Of course it has continued and Mr. President has been able to substantially defeat the insurgency in the Northeast”.
He posited that “all those cattle routes that were established by the British colonialists have all been closed down because of human habitations, and even the grazing reserves have been taken over by farmlands as population is growing.
“So, some of these criminals would have taken advantage of what has been happening and unleashing mayhem on our people but that is not acceptable. I believe Mr. President is also addressing that to the best of his ability.
“Probably, migration from somewhere as criminals from other parts of Africa may have assembled and say let’s go into a richer country like Nigeria and ravaged them and seize everything that they have. It could be possible and when they come they have some local converts, who will want to go their own way.
“Also, the southern part is not insulated because we have series of kidnappings. In fact, kidnappings started with oil workers either in the early 90s or late 80s, so it’s not a new thing.
“Life is dynamic, if there is no problem then there cannot be a manager. So, we can’t have a country without a leadership because he (president) is there by the grace of the Almighty God, as God will not come down and manage the people by himself.
“As long as the population is willing and he too has the vision to address the problem, I think we are going to win. We don’t expect them to stop overnight, it’s not possible.
Tony Ailemen, Abuja
