Nigeria has been bedeviled by conflicts and security challenges for many years. Suicide bombing, kidnapping, and mass killings have been the order. Many have died as a result, and resources wasted. From Niger Delta Militants to Boko Haram and now to Fulani Herdsmen, we take a look at where we are and where we seem to be going as nation. 

Niger Delta Militants

At some point in Nigeria, the activities of Niger Delta Militants were like boils hanging on Nigeria’s balls. Former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua (of blessed memory) was circumspect. With the oil of amnesty, he rubbed the surfaces of the boils until they ripened and the pores were reasonably drained. President Yar’Adua died on 5 May 2010. Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GEJ) ascended the throne of Aso Rock from his position as the Vice-president at the time. GEJ continued in the ideologies of President Yar’Adua in managing the Niger Delta crisis. 

Having finished the original tenure of President Yar’Adua which ended in 2011, GEJ contested and won the Presidential election. His return to office in 2011 was alleged to have been a product of high rigging and electoral malpractices. From the reports, this development made the current President Muhammadu Buhari (who lost the 2011 elections at the time) to declare that “If what happened in 2011 (alleged rigging) should again happen in 2015, by the grace of God, the dog and the baboon would all be soaked in blood.”

Boko Haram

From 2011, Nigeria witnessed an improved aggression and acts of terrorism from a sect known as Boko Haram. Boko Haram was formed in 2002 by Mohammed Yusuf (deceased) with the alleged aim to purify Islam and safeguard it from the perceived contamination of western education. The Boko Haram insurgency was said to have began in 2009 when the Group moved against the Government of Nigeria in an armed rebellion. The Group aimed at installing an Islamic State.

From 2011, Nigeria nearly became ungovernable for President GEJ. Many feared that the activities of Boko Haram was deliberately being financed by politicians. Much mysteries surround the activities of Boko Haram. Unlike the Niger Delta Militants whose agitation was clear – a better Niger Delta region allowed to enjoy and probably manage its natural resources – the mission of Boko Haram has remained incomprehensible. Christians and Muslims alike have been at the receiving end. Politicians have been alleged to benefit from the fight against Boko Haram insurgency by diverting funds meant to tackle the situation. It was once alleged that the insurgents have sympathizers at different levels of Government. 

As a matter of fact, combating Boko Haram insurgency was one of the campaign points for President Buhari in 2015. He eventually won the 2015 and also the 2019 presidential elections.

Fulani Herdsmen on the scene

Fulani is a predominantly Muslim tribe, scattered all over West Africa. A famous tribe known for their nomadic system of raising livestock, mostly cattle. In most recent times, Fulani herdsmen were always in the news for various allegations bordering on killings and kidnapping. A report by Forbes captures it succinctly:

The Fulani herdsmen, also known as the Fulani militia, are a semi-nomadic, pastoralist ethnic group living in the central regions of Nigeria, predominately in the Middle Belt. The majority of the Fulani herdsmen are Muslim. They have clashed with indigenous tribes and local, mainly Christian, farmers over grazing land over the centuries. However… the clashes intensified around the time of the 2011 and 2015 elections, and again earlier this year (2018). The regions most affected by the violence include the areas of Jama’a, Kachia, Kagarko, Kaura and Sanga in southern Kaduna. The atrocities perpetrated by the Fulani herdsmen include the destruction of houses and churches, as well as the seizure of land and properties belonging to Christian owners.

Up till date, Fulani herdsmen have remained in the news based on the same allegations. In the past, Fulani herdsmen were known for wielding only sticks. But today, guns seem to have replaced that. President Buhari acknowledges this fact. BBC once quoted him as saying:

The problem of cattle herders is a very long historical problem. Before now, cattle herders were known to carry sticks and machetes… but these ones are carrying AK-47s.

The above summarizes the opinion of average Nigerians. But we must note that there are Fulanis who raise their cattle in confined environment. They do not clash with anyone. The problem is mainly with the majority who appear to have refused to embrace any other approach aside from open-grazing. 

Central to the problem by herdsmen is the erroneous belief held by many of them which is that Fulanis own all lands in Nigeria. This belief is captured in the opinion recently expressed or reiterated by the President of Miyetti Allah, Bello Abdullahi, thus:

All the lands in this country belong to the Fulani, but we don’t have any business to do with land if it doesn’t have areas for grazing; if the land doesn’t have cow food, we won’t have any business with it…

Lands in Nigeria are generally under the administrative control of State Governors by virtue of the Land Use Act 1978. Strictly speaking, only a person who has legal or equitable rights over land may deal with the land. Any other unauthorized or unlicensed person who sets half his foot on the land of another person commits trespass. The consequence is damages. The same principle applies when you allow any animal or livestock under your control to step into another person’s land. You would be held liable in damages for trespass. Herdsmen and all cattle breeders need to acknowledge this point. 

Meanwhile, the above statement by Miyetti Allah was in reaction to the 7-day ultimatum recently issued by the Ondo State Governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu SAN to Fulani herdsmen to vacate Ondo forests.

Sunday Igboho and Nnamdi Kanu

Sunday Adeniyi Adeyemo is a Yoruba man popularly known as Sunday Igboho at Igboho town, located in Oke-Ogun, Oyo State. Sunday Igboho stormed Ondo State to enforce the eviction notice by the Governor of Ondo State. Igboho was alleged to have led the attack on some Fulani settlement causing havoc to them. He has also visited Ogun State recently for the same “crusade” against herdsmen. Sunday Igboho appear to enjoy the support of the people, but not that of the Government of the Southern States in question.

Igboho also appear to enjoy the support of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). IPOB is a sect from the South-East of Nigeria seeking self-determination. IPOB has been at loggerheads with the Nigerian Government. Nnamdi Kanu is currently facing trial (in absentia) for treasonable felonies. Kanu recently formed a security outfit known as Eastern Security Network (ESN). Eastern Governors appear to have distanced themselves from ESN. This is unlike the South-Western Governors that collectively formed Amotekun, a local security outfit for the region.

While Sunday Igboho leads from the front (mainly because he is not under prosecution), Kanu leads from behind, in foreign land.

Sunday Igboho and Nnamdi Kanu appear to be respectively asking Southerners to “Put your head on my shoulder, and you will be safe.” 

Conclusion

Like a Silhouette, Nigeria seems to be a shadow of itself in terms of security. Has the people found a voice and a force in Igboho and Kanu in the face of rising insecurity in the country? But the activities of the duo are equally dangerous. Just like that of the herdsmen. To spark the fire of civil war could be like a stroke of matchstick. The Government at all levels must show leadership. The shoulders of persons like Igboho and Kanu may not be wide enough to accommodate the peace Nigerians seriously crave. It behooves on the Government to take active steps in resolving the lingering issues.

Featured Image Credit: BBC