Why Does President Buhari Treat Shiites and Fulani Herdsmen Differently?, By Adeolu AdemoyoPremium Times February 7, 2016 Why Does President Buhari Treat Shiites and Fulani Herdsmen Differently?, By Adeolu Ademoyo2016-02-07T16:19:55+00:00 Adeolu Ademoyo, Columns, Issues of the Day Comment

“…The herdsmen also inflicted injuries on soldiers who went to quell the fighting… all the corpses were covered at the time we got to the hospital… I just s
aw the corpses on the ground. There were 11 men and four women, the DPO not included…” – Adamawa State Police Commissioner, Gazzali Mohammed

“..poverty, injustice and the lack of job opportunities were mainly responsible for inter-communal and intra-communal conflicts in Nigeria…” – President Buhari

Social strife is a result of a violation of basic communal ethics. Hence, the ethics of equity and justice are central to building a peaceful democratic society. Sadly, it seems these ethics are lacking in how the Nigerian government under President Buhari has used double standards to deal with the Shiites and the herdsmen.

For example, while the Nigerian government under Buhari treats the serial criminality of the Fulani herdsmen with kid gloves, and has refused to properly call their kidnapping and murderous activities by their right names – which is a crime against the Nigerian state and people – the same government has called the Shiites/army clash a “coup”; hence the army declared war against the Shiites and massacred them in Zaria.

Given the double standards with which the Nigerian government treats the activities of the herdsmen and the Shiites, the similarities and differences between the Shiites/Army Clash in Zaria in December last year (2015) and the killings by the Fulani herdsmen in Girei local government area of Adamawa State in January 2016, must make us revisit President Buhari’s handling of the two occurrences.

To make the facts speak to the issues: the Shiites blocked traffic in Zaria, Kaduna State. The Fulani herdsmen invaded four communities (Demsare, Wunamokoh, Dikajam and Taboungo) in Girei local government. When the Shiites committed an infraction by blocking the traffic and prevented the Chief of Army staff, General Buratai from passing, the Chief claimed the Shiites were planning to kill him. But no guns, bombs, etc. were found on the Shiites. Guns and ammunitions were found on Fulani herdsmen during their invasion in Girei.

Also, the Nigerian army did not show any soldier that was killed or that sustained injuries – major or minor. On the other hand, in Girei, Fulani herdsmen carried guns and utilised live ammunition. They inflicted injuries on soldiers. News reports claim that they killed close to 30 people, including a police officer (Mr. Okozie Okereofor, a DPO in charge of Vunokilang Police Station in the local government area). The police is also a symbol of the Nigerian state, or any state.

The Buhari government and General Buratai, whose soldiers sustained injuries from the herdsmen, have not declared “war” on the herdsman who also killed a police officer but they declared war on Shiites who did not kill anybody, and the army allegedly massacred over 300 Shiites.



Without President Buhari’s government properly addressing these issues – the national question and Nigeria’s “federal” system – as part of good governance, and going ahead to establish grazing land across the country for herdsmen, some of who are economic fronts of rich and politically connected members of the Nigerian elite, the country may be witnessing another proxy “war”, especially of the rich and politically connected.

True, the nature of the Shiites/Army clash and the Fulani herdsmen criminality are different. For example, it is said that the Girei herdsmen were carrying out a reprisal attack on those who had previously attacked them. This difference notwithstanding, the handling of the two problems by the authorities has shown double standards, which morally injures the fabric of the Nigerian society.

For example, while the Nigerian army allegedly killed over 300 Shiites and President Buhari did not make a statement on this, and although he also did not immediately condemn the attack of the Fulani herdsmen, he later spoke, against this background, that inter-communal conflicts are as a result of poverty, injustice and unemployment!

Coming after the Fulani herdsmen inflicted injuries on soldiers and killed 30 people, including a police officer, President Buhari’s statement can easily be interpreted as an attempt to free the herdsmen of culpability in a major crime against the Nigerian people and state.

Therefore, President Buhari’s statement invites scrutiny. If the herdsmen’s criminality is seen as an indication of poverty, injustice and unemployment, Buhari’s account failed to acknowledge that these herdsmen are businessmen who trade in cattle. The herdsmen are also economic and business fronts for many members of the Nigerian political and economic elites who trade in Cattle and invest in the business of the herdsmen.

Therefore, contrary to President Buhari, Fulani herdsmen who are gainfully employed as herdsmen rearing and trading in cattle, and fronting in this business for very wealth members of the Nigerian ruling class, some of who are politically connected, does not suggest poverty but rather a subtle economic and class contest for land with farmers, who use this for agricultural purposes.

And more importantly, this is why it is very strange that President Buhari alluded to “injustice” in the case of the Fulani herdsmen. This is because the question is: who had been unjust to the herdsmen? Can farmers, who for economic and survival reasons insist that the herdsmen cannot turn their farm crops to food for their cattle, be said to have been unjust to these herdsmen, who insist on grazing their cattle to eat up the crops on these farms?

In doing their business, the issue is the well-known and public criminal record of some of these herdsmen. Hence, to use state power to acquire grazing land (as a way of resolving the criminality of some of the herdsmen) for a group of businessmen, with this obvious criminal and un-communal record, is rewarding their criminality.

In the light of this, it is obvious that the Nigerian government under President Buhari has betrayed unacceptable double standards in handling the criminality that herdsmen engage in all over the country. This explains why Nigerians must re-think the attempt by the president to open grazing land for herdsmen all over the country.

Opening grazing land across Nigeria for Fulani herdsmen is questionable and problematic in the light of President Buhari’s double standards in handling the criminality of these herdsmen. This is because the herdsmen are businessmen. For example, just like any other business into profit-making, there are herdsmen who engage in the cattle rearing as a private family business. There are herdsmen who are economic and business fronts for rich and politically connected members of the Nigerian elite. And in the third case, there are herdsmen whose business is a mixture of the two – as private family business and fronts for rich and politically connected members of the Nigerian elite.

In doing their business, the issue is the well-known and public criminal record of some of these herdsmen. Hence, to use state power to acquire grazing land (as a way of resolving the criminality of some of the herdsmen) for a group of businessmen, with this obvious criminal and un-communal record, is rewarding their criminality. And such policy is dangerous to communities and state governments that will host these grazing lands. It is going to be a test of both the Nigerian unitary and “federal” system.



President Buhari’s comments only show that the Nigerian federal system and the national question must be properly re-thought in solving issues such as Fulani herdsmen, Shiites/Army clash, contrary to the lukewarm attitude to it of the present Buhari APC government. Local governance, respect for local authorities, duty and obligation to local and state authorities by individuals regardless of who they are, and the notion of portable residency, etc. are core issues in this re-thinking of the national question and Nigeria’s “federal” system.

Without President Buhari’s government properly addressing these issues – the national question and Nigeria’s “federal” system – as part of good governance, and going ahead to establish grazing land across the country for herdsmen, some of who are economic fronts of rich and politically connected members of the Nigerian elite, the country may be witnessing another proxy “war”, especially of the rich and politically connected.

Hence, such grazing policy must be re-thought in the interest of peace, a federal and united Nigeria, and a consistently held and universally applied sense of equity and justice.

Adeolu Ademoyo, aaa54@cornell.edu, is with the Africana Studies and Research Center, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY.


http://blogs.premiumtimesng.com/170986-2/

Because PMB is a partisan bigot.

He is a Fulani and would do nothing. He is also a Sunni muslim, and sees the Shiites as infidels. I have not forgotten how he was against GEJ militarily responding against Boko Haram. If GEJ had not started this war, he wouldn't have started it himself.

He changed tune from "any attack on Boko Haram is an attack on the North" to "I will crush Boko Haram in 3 months" because of his greed for the presidency. Little wonder why 9 months on he has not defeated BH and is letting the Fulani herdsmen continue on their killing spree.

PMB has nothing to offer Nigerians. All those who voted him did so because they hated GEJ not because they wanted a better Nigeria.

-Lord

v

buhari fights shiites problem, he does nt fight them problem. what do u want buhari to do

Genuine question

Awaiting the people that judges with sentiment to come and start ranting.

Buhari know about them or don't you think so?

Rubbish

IbnSultaan:
Rubbish

I know what you need
















#CommonSense.

Where is senator Ben Bruce

Click Like if you are Happy you NEVER voted Buhari. Click Share if you regret voting him

Welcome to Federal Republic of Fulani.
Nigerians have been turned to Cows governed by a world renowned Fulanistan.

[color=#990000][/color]how did we get here?

Obiagelli hope your conscience will allow you to comment after reading

LordAdam:
Because PMB is a partisan bigot.

He is a Fulani and would do nothing. He is also a Sunni muslim, and sees the Shiites as infidels. I have not forgotten how he was against GEJ militarily responding against Boko Haram. If GEJ had not started this war, he wouldn't have started it himself.

So how exactly your gej treat any of those criminal group? Boko haram, Fulani heardmen, Shiite, Ombatshe and others

Trailblazer1:
Obiagelli hope your conscience will allow you to comment after reading

I am with the writer on this

Obiagelli:

I am with the writer on this

Go ahead and condemn the act

If l read this ACT OF APOSTLE make PMB turn reverend father.

Obiagelli:


So how exactly your gej treat any of those criminal group? Boko haram, Fulani heardmen, Shiite, Ombatshe and others

Condemn the act outrightly and stop being defensive

Obiagelli:


So how exactly your gej treat any of those criminal group? Boko haram, Fulani heardmen, Shiite, Ombatshe and others

We all know of GEJ's exploits against BH. Have you forgotten the "Never Again" tag?

About the Fulani herdsmen, it was only under PMB that they were designated as one of the world's deadliest terror groups. Till now, PMB has done nothing. If GEJ had pursued any military action against them, the Northerners would have been screaming foul. Now that PMB has a legit reason to do something about it, why has he not done anything?

About the Shiites, in June 2014 when the military killed shiites, there were conflicting reports. Some said soldiers and the sect exchanged gun fire, some said they did not. http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/165579-update-sheikh-zakzakys-son-10-others-killed-in-nigerian-troops-shiite-muslims-clash.html In any case, only about 10 people were killed.

In December 2015, the Nigerian army killed a few tens on the road procession, which was justified because they did not permit the COAS to pass. Then went to the heart of Zaria to kill over 700 in their houses, raze their houses, burn properties, imprison the Sheikh, then dump the bodies in mass graves. Is that not too much? Till now, PMB is still doing investigation.

PMB is a bigot from his actions. GEJ had nothing against the shiites, did not romance with the Saudi king when the killing happened, did not support the activities of BH. The only person that has done these is PMB.

-Lord

LordAdam:


We all know of GEJ's exploits against BH. Have you forgotten the "Never Again" tag?

About the Fulani herdsmen, it was only under PMB that they were designated as one of the world's deadliest terror groups. Till now, PMB has done nothing. If GEJ had pursued any military action against them, the Northerners would have been screaming foul. Now that PMB has a legit reason to do something about it, why has he not done anything?

About the Shiites, in June 2014 when the military killed shiites, there were conflicting reports. Some said soldiers and the sect exchanged gun fire, some said they did not. http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/165579-update-sheikh-zakzakys-son-10-others-killed-in-nigerian-troops-shiite-muslims-clash.html In any case, only about 10 people were killed.

In December 2015, the Nigerian army killed a few tens on the road procession, which was justified because they did not permit the COAS to pass. Then went to the heart of Zaria to kill over 700 in their houses, raze their houses, burn properties, imprison the Sheikh, then dump the bodies in mass graves. Is that not too much? Till now, PMB is still doing investigation.

PMB is a bigot from his actions. GEJ had nothing against the shiites, did not romance with the Saudi king when the killing happened, did not support the activities of BH. The only person that has done these is PMB.

-Lord

Bruv Dee Lord!

abeg..Manage this One bottle of Cold orijin and cow legs for now for this!

That's one thing with these shameless Cankerous Zombies.. they just don't get it.. they are monumental failures and sore losers..

their stupidity is just too intriguing..

LordAdam:


We all know of GEJ's exploits against BH. Have you forgotten the "Never Again" tag?

About the Fulani herdsmen, it was only under PMB that they were designated as one of the world's deadliest terror groups. Till now, PMB has done nothing. If GEJ had pursued any military action against them, the Northerners would have been screaming foul. Now that PMB has a legit reason to do something about it, why has he not done anything?

About the Shiites, in June 2014 when the military killed shiites, there were conflicting reports. Some said soldiers and the sect exchanged gun fire, some said they did not. http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/165579-update-sheikh-zakzakys-son-10-others-killed-in-nigerian-troops-shiite-muslims-clash.html In any case, only about 10 people were killed.

In December 2015, the Nigerian army killed a few tens on the road procession, which was justified because they did not permit the COAS to pass. Then went to the heart of Zaria to kill over 700 in their houses, raze their houses, burn properties, imprison the Sheikh, then dump the bodies in mass graves. Is that not too much? Till now, PMB is still doing investigation.

PMB is a bigot from his actions. GEJ had nothing against the shiites, did not romance with the Saudi king when the killing happened, did not support the activities of BH. The only person that has done these is PMB.

-Lord

I love your narative, fulani heardsmen were saints before buhari, the military killed just 10 shiites, ordinary 10 including zakzaky's son.

I almost forgot, Gej wiped out boko haram b4 he left

Obiagelli:

I love your narative, fulani heardsmen were saints before buhari, the military killed just 10 shiites, ordinary 10 including zakzaky's son.

I almost forgot, Gej wiped out boko haram b4 he left

You are being improperly simplistic about my narrative.

Put holes in the narrative rather than take an emotional stand. GEJ faced hell for wanting to start the war against BH, you know that. The elders in the North, including PMB made disparaging comments. Now PMB has a valid reason that he can bandy about to do something about the menace, and would not face as much opposition. Why is he not doing anything?

About the figures, confirm them yourself. 10 were killed including the sheikh sons in what may have been a clash between the NA and Shiites. In PMB's case, tens were killed on the road which nobody has a problem with. Where everybody, including me, is disappointed is that the killings did not stop with the clash on the road like it was under GEJ. They left the road and went to the main conclave of the shiites to kill 700 defenseless people including women and children. A kid was shot in the vagina for crying out loud.

GEJ made giant strides against BH before he left. Did you miss the account by Senator Kaka https://www.nairaland.com/2918973/boko-haram-controls-half-borno/1 that Dalori where BH burnt children was where they campaigned in GEJ's tenure?

Every Nigerian knows GEJ was winning the war against BH, the only complain was that he intensified efforts late. In contrast, Bubu is lying about the state of affairs and saying BH does not control any territory when the APC senator of Bornu central is saying that half of Bornu is under BH.

Stop being a blind zombie. E no fit you.

-Lord

.

LordAdam:

You are being improperly simplistic about my narrative.
Put holes in the narrative rather than take an emotional stand. GEJ faced hell for wanting to start the war against BH, you know that. The elders in the North, including PMB made disparaging comments. Now PMB has a valid reason that he can bandy about to do something about the menace, and would not face as much opposition. Why is he not doing anything?
About the figures, confirm them yourself. 10 were killed including the sheikh sons in what may have been a clash between the NA and Shiites. In PMB's case, tens were killed on the road which nobody has a problem with. Where everybody, including me, is disappointed is that the killings did not stop with the clash on the road like it was under GEJ. They left the road and went to the main conclave of the shiites to kill 700 defenseless people including women and children. A kid was shot in the vagina for crying out loud.
GEJ made giant strides against BH before he left. Did you miss the account by Senator Kaka https://www.nairaland.com/2918973/boko-haram-controls-half-borno/1 that Dalori where BH burnt children was where they campaigned in GEJ's tenure?
Every Nigerian knows GEJ was winning the war against BH, the only complain was that he intensified efforts late. In contrast, Bubu is lying about the state of affairs and saying BH does not control any territory when the APC senator of Bornu central is saying that half of Bornu is under BH.
Stop being a blind zombie. E no fit you.
-Lord

noise

GEJ till 2019 or you die crew

Buhari will rule you for the next 8 years ooo

Get ready

Ok

Wait..how do people rear cows in developed climes? i guess they don't move it from one place to the other leaving a trail of destroyed crops, burned houses and unidentifiable corpses...why don't we just copy that system and apply it here. If you have ever lived in the North-Central you will truly understand the import of the Fulani's stubbornness.

As regards why PMB has reacted differently, i can only tie it down to human nature. we all would take sides with our kin(in most cases) before asking who is wrong. Buhari might be the president but he is still a human and still prone to bias...and he seems not to care...i guess because of the bevy of supporters drumming and cheering all his actions.

Hmmmmmm good rhetoric question. Sad sad sad
Fulani herdsmen are all over the forests and farms in the south robbing, kidnapping monarchs, raping women etc. They shot a man I know last month, after taking all his valuables. My Prof was robbed last week and her colleagues kidnapped, the list is endless. We're told their weapons are out of the world, brand new. The security agencies are aware but the contacts of these guys are high and mighty. May God help this country called Nigeria.

Brotherhood