By Henry Umoru

ABUJA— THE Senate, yesterday, highlighted the need to deal decisively with herdsmen attacks across the country, describing the phenomenon as another form of Boko Haram.

Cows and herdsmen The Upper legislative chamber, which noted that the modus operandi of the herdsmen was not different from that of Boko Haram, also charged security agencies to put a check on the attacks, apprehend the culprits and bring them to justice.

This is the second time in a week that the Senate would take a strong position on the issue, having, last week, directed the Inspector General of Police to go after the herdsmen.

It also observed a minute silence for those who lost their lives to herdsmen attacks in Edo Central senatorial district and other previous attacks in the country, even as it asked the Federal Government to take up immediately the health needs of Ehimen Donald Abuya, who was attacked by the herdsmen in the latest attacks.

The Senate equally urged the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, to urgently visit Ewu communities to ascertain the extent of damage done by the herdsmen, with a view to providing relief materials to families of the bereaved and other persons currently displaced and denied access to their farmlands.

The resolutions of the Senate were sequel to a motion by Senator Clifford Ordia, PDP, Edo Central, entitled, “the need to curtail the activities of herdsmen.” According to the Senate, the herdsmen engage in violent acts of ravaging communities, depriving persons of right to life and prosperity, defiling women and destroying farm crops, among other criminal activities, across the country.

In his presentation, Senator Ordia said: “The Senate notes with serious concern the heinous and criminal activities being perpetrated by herdsmen who, in the violent act of ravaging communities, deprived persons of right to life and prosperity, defiling women and destroying farm crops amongst other criminal activities across the country.

“The Senate is sad that on May 22, 2017, these ravaging herdsmen entered into farmland located in Ewu community, Esan Central Local Government of Edo State, raping two women, Mrs. Martina Emoyon and Mrs. Ariu and strangled them to death, destroyed crops and sacked a lot of persons from their farmlands.

“It observes that consequent upon these criminal activities of the herdsmen, the youths of Ewu engaged in a peaceful protest to draw the attention of the Federal Government to the problem. Sadly, one Ehimen Donald Abuya was shot and the victim is lying critically ill at Irrua Specialist Hospital. Since this destructive attack, it has been observed that no farmer in the communities has engaged in farming activities for fear of being killed.

“The Senate is saddened that despite the public outcry and previous resolutions of the National Assembly as regards the criminal activities of herdsmen, there seems to be no visible action on the part of government to curtail, abate or totally stop the criminal activities of these criminal elements.

“Section 33(1) of chapter (iv) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) provides that every person has a right to life and no one shall be deprived intentionally of his life, save in the execution of a court sentence in respect of criminal offence of which he has been found guilty in Nigeria.

‘’The Africa Chapter on Human and Peoples Right of which Nigeria is a signatory, also provides for Right to Life and Respect for Integrity of Persons, Freedom from Slavery, Torture, Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading treatment.

‘’Section 43 of the constitution provides that every citizen shall have a right to acquire and own immovable property anywhere in Nigeria.

‘’The Senate is aware further that the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) in section 14(b) clearly provides that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.”

In his contribution, Deputy Senate Whip, Senator Francis Alimikhena, APC, Edo North, who described the herdsmen as another Boko Haram, however, called on the executive to urgently curb the menace, adding that security agencies must apprehend and bring to justice those involved in the menace at Ewu, Edo State.

In his remarks, Senate President, Bukola Saraki, who presided over yesterday’s plenary, however, stopped other contributions and asked that the Senate should wait for the report of the Senator Kabir Gaya-led Senate Ad- hoc Committee on farmers and herders clashes in Southern Kaduna and other parts of the country.

It would be recalled that hundreds of farmers have been killed by herdsmen since 2015, with the killing spanning all geo-political zones of the country. The attacks have been particularly vicious in Benue where no fewer than 500 persons have been killed by the herdsmen in the last two years.

Similarly, in Southern Kaduna, the government said 205 persons were killed by the herdsmen, though the Catholic Church in the area claimed 808. Taraba State government only recently raised an alarm that fleeing Boko Haram insurgents displaced by the military from Sambisa forest invaded the state, blaming the latest herdsmen killing in the state on the invasion.

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/06/herdsmen-attacks-another-boko-haram-senate/

Front Page: Lalasticlala Seun Mynd44

Please note I cut the story about major herdsmen attacks. It would make this thread too long. It's had over 20 examples from 2016 - 2017.

Story by the gods, when their grand petron is the president. All covers will be given to them by DSS. That's why no single arrest has been made. If you want to to react jut kill one herdsman and they will jump in defence of their tozo brother. Buhari fall my hand no be small.

Man these herdsmen are terrorists stealing killing and molesting the public. Don't wait on these incompetent government to protect you before your homeless and cant return to farms. It's pure insanity this government has goals of food sustainability but won't check the herdsmen. More states need to copy Benue and just ban the practice ofor open grazing and herding.

This is the second time in a week that the Senate would take a strong position on the issue, having, last week, directed the Inspector General of Police to go after the herdsmen.

This why I want local government police. This national centralized model seem like it can't hand the job. The National police will have their place though.

In his remarks, Senate President, Bukola Saraki, who presided over yesterday’s plenary, however, stopped other contributions and asked that the Senate should wait for the report of the Senator Kabir Gaya-led Senate Ad- hoc Committee on farmers and herders clashes in Southern Kaduna and other parts of the country.

What's taking this guy so long to bring back this report. I doubt it wI'll tell us something we don't know.

The deception here is that APC don't want to use the word 'Boko Haram in place of Herdsmen' just to create an imaginary defeat of Boko Haram.

Namu namu means na dem dem

Off

And some Afonjas have the guts to say that we should pray for Buhari, are you people daft?

these ones are just woken up now.

Keneking:
Pls let us invite Jonathan, afterall Herdsmen troubles began under his adminstration

funny guy.

Guys check my signature

Pls let us invite Jonathan, afterall Herdsmen troubles began under his adminstration

Good!

Evil Vs Evil, Make dem dey eliminate themselves gradually till we are eventually free from their worries.

now they are talking

these fulani herds men are terrorist

the blood they have shed is almost rivals that of boko haram

the cloak of 'herds man' is the euphemism they hide under to perpetuate their atrocities

i believe this requires the intervention of the army

this would have being a simple thing

except for the overwhelming covet support they get from the powers behind those in power

tribalistseun:
And some Afonjas have the guts to say that we should pray for Buhari, are you people daft?

Some of you flateenoes have become so reta--rded you can't even post anything meaningful without afonja. It's like a curse.

“It observes that consequent upon these criminal activities of the herdsmen, the youths of Ewu engaged in a peaceful protest to draw the attention of the Federal Government to the problem. Sadly, one Ehimen Donald Abuya was shot and the victim is lying critically ill at Irrua Specialist Hospital. Since this destructive attack, it has been observed that no farmer in the communities has engaged in farming activities for fear of being killed.

“The Senate is saddened that despite the public outcry and previous resolutions of the National Assembly as regards the criminal activities of herdsmen, there seems to be no visible action on the part of government to curtail, abate or totally stop the criminal activities of these criminal elements.

una just know? boko -north.. heardsmen -north... powerhunters-north, gullible fellows-South West

na real another form of BH

This is just a real upcoming terrorist..... That tends to be nationwide not just only north this time around...... . The snail government should better curb them....

The executive arm of the government is indirectly involved in the Fulani Herdsmen attack going on.

Their silent support is too obvious. So let the legislature question them, if they seriously want it to stop.

Na nw una dey know abiii

Good Morning to Senators. Well, I love my village people shaa. We don't take chances from them. We match every assault with a greater one whenever they misbehave.

They said they improved security in the North east. But the herdsmen have been unleashed all over the nation

But but but...... violet herdsmen are libya/mali militias according to our president.
Buhari just extended his hands of statemanship(terrorism) to other parts of lord lugard Animal farm.

He had just about enough intelligence to open his mouth when he wanted to eat, but certainly no more.

tribalistseun:
And some Afonjas have the guts to say that we should pray for Buhari, are you people daft?

Are the herdsmen fighting with Fulani jazz? Why is it so easy for them to overpower their victims?

Recircling statement....... We need action now

On the 4th day, God said let there be cow n bubu and his fellow fulanis appeared..

The only tribe that is tormenting Nigeria is Hausa ..... Dear Lord, pls expunge them from our dear country . We need peace

NwaEzefuNaMba:
But but but...... violet herdsmen are libya/mali militias according to our president.
Buhari just extended his hands of statemanship(terrorism) to other parts of lord lugard Animal farm.

That's why they are misbehaving . Cos they believe they own the presidency .

herdsmen are on rampage...and U say U hav defeated boko haram... Where did fulani HM get there weapons... Is it nt the same weapons boko guys were using... See..the real thing is.. Boko haram turned to fulani herdsmen because Buhari entered and they had to stop buh the struggle against christians and Western education has to continue...