Benue deputy governor: If Buhari, Sultan speak against violence by herders, attacks will stop

Benson Abounu, Benue deputy governor, has called on Fulani leaders to speak against the attacks by herders on communities. 

He said a word from President Muhammadu Buhari, Muhammadu Abubakar, Sultan of Sokoto, and Muhammadu Aliyu, Lamido of Adamawa will serve as an “effective response” that may put a stop to the deadly activities of herders.

Abounu said this on Sunrise Daily, a Channels Television programme, on Tuesday. 

“One very effective response that I seek is a word from the president of this country concerning what is going on, asking the Fulanis to stop these terrible actions of theirs,” he said.

“I believe this will go a very long way. And also, I put a solemn request to the Sultan of Sokoto, and even to Lamido of Adamawa, who is the worldwide leader of the Fulani, that we need to hear from them.

“Fulani need to hear from them, their own leaders condemning what they are doing and asking them to put a stop to it.

“It is a very simple thing but I believe it will be an effective one. We are yet to hear that, the Fulani are yet to hear that.

Abounu also said the body language of Fulani leaders has contributed to the atrocities committed by herders in Nigeria.

“The body language of the leaders of Fulani in our society today is a very serious issue to be addressed,” he said.

The concerns of Abounu come on the heels of a string of fatal attacks on Benue communities.

In May, more than 22 persons were reportedly killed by herders at Guma community.

On May 28, there was anxiety in Benue over the alleged killing of some people in Katsina Ala LGA of the state.