800 herdsmen currently in custody, says Osinbajo

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo says there are at least 800 suspected violent herdsmen in detention.

He said worried by the spate of attacks on innocent people, President Muhammadu Buhari ordered security agencies to arrest those behind the atrocious act.

According to Laolu Akande, Osinbajo’s spokesman, the nation’s number two citizen made the disclosure in Texas, US, during an interactive session with some Nigerians based in the country.

“The president has given firm instructions to the security agencies to arrest not only herdsmen who are attacking communities anywhere in the country, but anyone of them or anyone at all in possession of firearms,” he said.

“There are about 800 of suspected violent herdsmen in the country that are currently in custody.”

Osinbajo said it is incorrect to assume that the suspects were emboldened by the fact that Buhari, who is a Fulani, was at the helm of affairs.

He said there had always been conflict between herdsmen and rural dwellers, adding that the issue is likely to continue as long as grazing lands disappear, leaving cattle to feed on crops on peoples’ farmlands.

Defending the recent arrest of judges, Osinbajo said the current administration only exercised its powers to check excesses.

He said due process was followed, explaining that the judges were released after about 24 hours.

Responding to a question on whether or not former President Goodluck Jonathan would be arrested, Osinbajo said the Buhari administration is not in the business of “arresting just anyone anyhow”.

He explained that the government only empowers security agencies and anti-corruption organisations to do their jobs without undue interference.