Break Your Silence Now, Christian Council, Activists Tell Buhari

Bassey Inyang in Calabar and Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

The Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN) in the South-south zone has urged President Muhammdu Buhari to break his silence and speak out without further delay over the spate of recent deadly attacks lunched by Fulani herdsmen on many parts of the country.

The CCN spoke against the backdrop of last Monday’s destruction of lives and property in Ukpabi Nimbo community in Uzo-Uwani area of Enugu State by Fulani herdsmen.

Addressing journalists in Calabar, Cross River State, last Tuesday evening, Chairman of the CCN, Rt. Reverend Tunde Adeleye , said Buhari’s silence in the midst of wanton destruction of lives and property in many communities in Nigeria by the rampaging Fulani herdsmen has become worrisome and could be misconstrued.

Adeleye who is also the Archbishop of the Church of Nigeria, Calabar Archdiocese of the Anglican Communion, said: “Continued silence by the president over this violence and deadly attacks by Fulani herdsmen could be seen as if he is supporting his tribe’s men. He needs to speak now to calm frayed nerves in the country.

“The Fulani herdsmen are now everywhere in the country, not only with their cows but with sophisticated arms. Where or how did they come about such weapons without the knowledge of the security agencies?”

Also, a group of human rights activists has urged President Muhamamdu Buhari to step aside from office if he cannot put a stop to the incessant Fulani herdsmen ‘mindless’ killings of innocent citizens of the country. The activists also indicated that they had concluded arrangement to storm the presidential Villa to register their displeasure over the development.

They sympathised with the governments and people of the affected states and communities over the loss of their love ones in the Fulani herdsmen massacre, calling on governments at all levels to come to the aid of the affected people and families to ameliorate their suffering as a result of the ‘dastard’ incident.

The activists under the aegis of Centre for Human Rights and Social Justice (CHRSJ) are: Centre for Constitutional Rights and Counter Corruption Crusader, Save Lagos Group (SLG), The Conscience Mainstream (TMG), African Masses Voices for Survival (AMVS), Christians Youths for the People’s Rights and Development (CYPRD), Islamic Movement for Muslims’ Rights (IMMR) and Divine Nigerians Liberators for People’s’ Fundamental Rights(DNLPFR).

Others are the Christian Awareness Mission Group (CAMG), Passengers Fundamental Rights Group (PATRGIA), The Political Awareness Group (TIPAG), Centre for Social Justice and Equity of Nigeria (CESJEN), Civil Societies