• Says move recipe for civil war

Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU), yesterday, urged the Federal Government to immediately contain the formation of an armed group, Fulani Vigilance Group, as a parallel security outfit in Benue State, saying the move is recipe for civil war in Nigeria.

In a statement issued by its spokesman, Luka Binniyat, SOKAPU, in Kaduna, said any attempt to allow the Fulani form, arm, kit and operate an armed wing would be tantamount to giving approval to other ethnic groups to act same way.

The Southern Kaduna socio-cultural group remarked: “SOKAPU is saying that a civil war may spark off if Fulani and other ethnic groups obtain arms for the exclusive reason of protecting themselves as groups under various independent commands.”

Binniyat said: “President Muhammadu Buhari must not take this lightly, even though he is fond of glossing over serious matters of security concerns.

“In fact, the Fulani have been accused of horrific crimes in many communities in Nigeria, given the truth that not all Fulani are outlaws. It is for the pervasive bloody crimes that criminal elements of Fulani have been accused of that spurred some state governments to create their own vigilance outfits.

“No state government must allow any tribal group to form its own vigilance group. It is a direct line to insurgency and separatism. At this point, SOKAPU wishes to hail the Governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawalle, for forming a volunteer vigilance service which he will train and arm under the supervision of the Nigeria Police Force.”

He explained, “SOKAPU believes that all residents of Zamfara State, especially herders and farmers in rural communities of the state, will soon enjoy robust security and pursue their livelihood without worry. This is what is expected of a responsive and responsible leader.”

The spokesman went on: “Unfortunately, Governor Nasir el-Rufai continues to be only vocal against the armed herdsmen and bandits ravaging his state and has refused to do the needful like his counterparts. We encourage other governors of the Middle Belt and the North to copy Governors Ortom and Matawalle in their drive to secure their states.” (The Guardian: Text, excluding headline)

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