Nigeria under siege: IPOB Counsel Ejiofor task FG, Govs on unending killings by Fulani herdsmen
From Aloysius Attah, Onitsha
Rights Activist and Counsel to the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Ifeanyi Ejiofor has called for a decisive action by government at all levels and the security agencies towards bringing to an end, the continued killings and bloodshed by rampaging Fulani herdsmen across different parts of the country.
Ejiofor in a statement issued on Tuesday lamented that Nigeria is witnessing what he described as grave national tragedy and a relentless wave of violence unleashed by Fulani herdsmen while the government sits in complicit silence, issuing hollow condemnations without any meaningful action.
He condemned the wave of violence and killings in Plateau, Benue, Edo, Delta and Enugu States and noting that new casualty figures are reported by the media every day, reducing human lives to mere statistics.
“The unchecked bloodbath of innocent, defenceless citizens - whose only crime is being aboriginal to their ancestral lands - has become a tragic, daily occurrence.
“Behind those numbers are mothers, fathers, children, and breadwinners - fellow citizens whose lives have been brutally cut short by wicked, soulless killers. The most recent massacre in Plateau State reportedly claimed 52 lives just yesterday, though locals insist the real toll is even higher. Shockingly, these atrocities continue while the state sits in complicit silence, issuing hollow condemnations without any meaningful action.”
“Let it be made clear: Human life is sacred and irreplaceable. Yet in this country, it too often appears that the lives of cattle are valued more than those of human beings. This is a shameful indictment on our government and an affront to our shared humanity.
He said the time for rhetoric has passed while there is a an urgent and unambiguous call for decisive, coordinated action by the federal government led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the governors of the affected states
“These leaders swore an oath - backed by the constitution - to protect the lives and property of citizens and to guarantee their security. It is a sacred duty, not a negotiable privilege.
“The continuous slaughter of innocent Nigerians by marauding herdsmen and the government’s inertia in the face of this carnage is both condemnable and unacceptable. All security and law enforcement agencies must act decisively, without bias or hesitation. Communities must also awaken to the painful reality of the state’s failure and begin to lawfully safeguard themselves against this existential threat.
The human rights lawyer tasked the Tinubu-led administration and the affected state governors to fulfill their constitutional obligations to protect lives and property.
“I must reiterate: Life is precious. Its sanctity must be preserved. Government at all levels must immediately restore public confidence, secure our communities, and ensure that safety of the citizens is not a luxury but a right for all. Enough must finally be enough - and must be seen to be so.” He stated.
