‘I Will Hold You Responsible For Any Attack’- Fayose Tell Fulani Leaders

Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has told Serikin Fulani in the state,
Muhammed Abashe, that he will be held responsible for any further attack in
the state.
The governor, who was furious about the recent killing of a Tiv woman in Orin
Ekiti by people suspected to be Fulani herders, said Abashe had failed in
providing leadership by not stopping his kinsmen from destroying farms and
attacking residents under slightest provocation.
Fayose said this on Saturday at a peace meeting with Fulani herdsmen under
the aegis of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, farmers, local
hunters, security agencies and representatives of the Tiv community in Ado
Ekiti.
He said, “If you (Fulani herders) still want to stay among us, you must accept
the responsibility to ensure that none of our peoples’ farms is destroyed by
herdsmen any longer. None of our people must be killed by your men, either
they are strangers or those herdsmen living among us.
“If any killing or destruction of farms of our people occurs again in that area, I
will ensure that I use the law to fight you their leader on it. This is the last
warning I am giving you” he said.
The governor said the activities of the Fulani herders had continued to stain
the names of President Muhammadu Buhari and other notable fulani leaders in
the country.
He said, “This killing is giving Fulani people a bad name. If there are no good
people among them, how would General Buhari rise to be president? There are
doctors, lawyers, engineers and other notable professionals among you. This is
denting their names. The greatest of men are the peace makers.
“Even though President Buhari does not send people to kill, it is spoiling his
name. We are to make sure the killing stops.”
The governor said he would not compromise in his efforts to shield the state
from the menace of the herders.
He promised to enter into partnership to increase surveillance in the state.
“We won’t be intimidated by the terror of the few. The moment you are
caught, you will face the law. The killing by fulani is worse than Boko Haram.
We want one Nigeria because we have gone far. Anyone harbouring criminals
will not know peace. Enough is enough! Life is sacred and must be treated as
such.”
“I’m calling on the federal government to be firm, when actions are taken
against this mindless individuals, this killing will stop. It is because they are
taking it like a family affairs; this is not in the interest of Nigeria. Ordinary
Nigerians can’t carry AK47 or pump action.
“I want you to go back home believing in one Nigeria. These are activities of
criminals notwithstanding their ethnic background.”
Fayose mandated the herders to register in their location within the next three
months for identity and to who to hold responsible for any issue that comes
up at any location.
“Many of the Fulani herdsmen who settled down here did so without
permission from anyone. No one can be living with us and we – their host –
would not know who they are.
“They said some are strangers who only come briefly but we don’t want that.
Now, they would register with government for a token of N5,000.
“It is not their money that we need but their identity and locality. The sum of
N5,000 would be renewable after a year.
“We are sending a bill to the state assembly which would be that anyone
caught and found guilty of harbouring dangerous Fulani herdsmen would be
jailed for five years without an option of fine.
“So, I urge every residents in Ekiti to report anyone or stranger who is
suspected to be a killer Fulani herdsman.”