Recently in the news, our attention has been drawn to the activities of Fulani herdsmen, whether they be the real ones or masquerades trying to foment trouble and heat up the polity.
There has been talk of a National Grazing Bill with conflicting claims about its existence. The so called bill is to allow these herdsmen graze in lands which do not belong to them.
I honestly do not think any right thinking government will approve such legislation, as it is against the fundamental human rights of the individuals that own those lands.
We need to pay close attention to the composition of our National Assembly because they make the laws that govern us all. We cannot pay attention to the elections of the Executive alone and ignore those that give them the power they have. This is not the point of my post however, and that is a story for another day.
My thoughts on the attacks on innocent villagers are simple; the law must be followed to the letter. Herdsmen whether real or imagined have no right to take human life. They also have no right to occupy lands belonging to private citizens or villages. If they cannot find grass for the cows to eat, let them buy or they should find another line of work.
I have always wondered why I see certain photos of herdsmen carrying guns. Why would a farmer carry a gun? Why would our security agencies allow people to carry firearms without a permit?
Another angle I see is that some hidden forces ae trying to cause tension by masquerading as herdsmen and attacking sensitive ethnic groups. They want to create the impression that the President who is also Fulani is responsible or at the very least, turning a blind eye to these things.
The President has ordered the security agencies to act and hopefully we will see peace restored. While we have a right to freedom of movement, we should not encroach on the rights of others. Boko Haram is enough of a problem we don’t need anymore insurgency.
