VP says herdsmen are not killing because Buhari is Fulani

Vice President

Speaking at the security summit in Abuja on Thursday, February 8, 2018, Osinbajo said the recent killings of Nigerians by suspected herdsmen tops the list of President Buhari’s concerns.

The Vice President said the government does not deliberately fail to protect Nigerians within its territories.

“Every Nigerian is entitled to adequate security from government for their lives and livelihood,” Osinbajo said. “Government fails in that responsibility often but I must say never deliberately.

“Every killing demeans us as a people. Every killing undermines the authority of the state. This is why the suggestion sometime that because the president is Fulani, he has ignored the killings of herdsmen is both untrue and unfair.

“In any event, the herdsmen and farmers’ clashes resulting in deaths have been on for at least two decades.

“I have worked with him for three years now and I do not know of anyone issue that has given him more concern on which he has spent more time on security issues as this particular issue," he added.

He said the federal government had increased the number of security agents to affected areas within the country.

“The approach of the government to deploy mobile police forces in troubled areas and also both the army and air force unit in Benue states for example especially the 72 special forces battalion who have constantly maintained forward operating basis at the flash areas covering Guma, Logo, Katsina Ala and Agatu local government,” he added.

The Senate President, Bukola Saraki urged participants at the event not to trade blames but proffer solutions to the security challenges in the country.

“This is not a Summit to trade blames – in no way is this a blame game. Neither is it convened so that any person or entity can take credit. We just want solutions. Solutions only. That is all Nigerians require of us.

“All participants are therefore encouraged to be forthright in expressing their views, and show commitment to the need for solution. Let me reiterate that we are not here to indict anybody.

“This is not an indictment, it is not to lay blame or point fingers, and it is not to take credit for what goes well. This process is very much solutions-driven. In order for us to ameliorate the current difficulties, therefore, it is important that people speak frankly,” he added.

There have been killings of Nigerians by suspected Fulani herdsmen in the north central part of Nigeria especially since the beginning of the year.