The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) on Wednesday challenged President Muhammad Buhari to treat rampaging Fulani herdsmen as terrorists.

The IYC expressed doubts that the frequent clashes between herdsman and farmers are the handiwork of herdsmen and berated the Buhari-led Federal Government for its docile posture on the issue.

A statement signed by Mr Eric Omare, Spokesman of the IYC, alleged that the attacks were perpetrated by terrorists who disguise as herdsmen to unleash mayhem on unsuspecting farmers.

The IYC urged the Federal Government and security agencies to arrest the trend to forestall reprisals attacks with unpleasant consequences to the nation.

The group said: “We condemn the persistent attacks by terrorists disguise as Fulani Herdsmen in several parts of the country especially the Middle Belt, South West and most recently the attacks in Enugu State, South East Nigeria.

“We are of the view that the attacks are being carried out by terrorists who are disguising themselves as Fulani herdsmen.

“The traditional Fulani herdsmen have been grazing their cattle for decades in different parts of the country without such attacks until recently when the attacks became persistent with the emergence of Buhari as the President of Nigeria.

“We also frown at the suspicious and criminal silence of the Federal Government. We are surprised that President Buhari has vowed to deal with suspected vandals of oil facilities in the Niger Delta region like Boko Haram but has remained mute in the midst of consistent massacre of Nigerians by Fulani terrorist.

“The IYC believes that the attacks by the so called Fulani herdsmen are deliberate terrorist and religious agenda to wipe out some communities in the middle belt and southern part of the country.”

IYC further called on communities in the Niger Delta region, especially the Ijaw communities, to be vigilant and watch out for these terrorists who are disguising as Fulani herdsmen.

“We also call on community and youth leaders in different Niger Delta communities to set up structures to prevent such attacks and also timeously bring such activities to the knowledge of security agencies,” Omare said.

“The IYC Clan and Community structures all over the Ijaw Communities in Nigeria have been directed to set up special task force to monitor and report the activities of these murders masquerading as Fulani herdsmen,” he added.

•Photo shows IYC President Udengs Eradiri.

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