The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has stated that violent attacks on local communities and killings of farmers in Plateau, Benue and others are perpetrated by foreign herders.
Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye stated this on Thursday while fielding questions from journalists on the identities of armed herders attacking farming communities in Nigeria.
Communities in the Plateau and Benue valley have come under series of attacks by armed herders, killing hundreds of farmers and rendering thousands homeless.
LEADERSHIP recalls that Benue State governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia recently blamed foreign herders taking advantage of ECOWAS protocol on free movement of persons and animals to invade communities.
General Kangye said, “When we arrest these herders and terrorists, even the way they speak and appear is clear to see and even the hair will tell you that this person is not from Nigeria.”
He added that “One will also admit that many of those terrorising our people are foreigners even though some of them are also Nigerians.”
However, Kangye explained further that there are some herders who are Nigerians that also get involved in the process of rearing their cows then they encroach into farms resulting in conflict with farmers.
“But know that most of the violence and incessant killings you are hearing in some parts of this country are perpetrated by mostly those that find their way into porous borders of our country,” he said.
Adding, “But we must as a nation rise up together with other agencies whose responsibility it is to ensure those that come into Nigeria are accounted for.”
We’ve got the edge. Get real-time reports, breaking scoops, and exclusive angles delivered straight to your phone. Don’t settle for stale news. Join LEADERSHIP NEWS on WhatsApp for 24/7 updates →
