Enugu Massacre: Military Vows to Deal with Killer Herdsmen like Boko Haram, Niger Delta Militants

•Says its a national security threat
•To launch joint operations soon

Senator Iroegbu in Abuja

The Nigerian military has vowed to deal decisively with the marauding killer herdsmen that have been terrorising different parts of the country, the same way they dealt with the Boko Haram terrorists in the North-East, Niger Delta Militants and other acts of criminality.

The Director of Defence Information (DDI), Brig-Gen. Rabe Abubakar, gave the assurances on Saturday, in response to THISDAY inquiries into the gruesome murder of over 40 farmers of Ukpabi Nimbo Community in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area (LGA) in Enugu State by the suspected Fulani herdsmen.

Abubakar said that the military will, in collaboration with the Nigerian Police and other security agencies, ensure the security of lives and property in line with President Muhammadu Buhari directives, following the public outrage that greeted the massacre.

“The issue of security of lives and property rests solely on the Armed Forces and other security agencies, not only to tackle the herdsmen, but also any other criminal gang internally and externally cannot be tolerated,” he assured.

Consequently, he said, all efforts are now on towards ensuring that there is security of lives and property in the general area where such activities of herdsmen are being carried out.

He said: “You could recall that the President has given us a directive and it is something, which we must comply with like in other cases. We deployed our men for Operations against Cattle Rustling tagged Sharandaji, which is to ensure that no herdsmen involved in criminal activities are spared.

“Each and every one of us has a role to play: physical security, giving information, synergising with other stakeholders. That is what we are going to do like we are doing in the North East , Niger Delta and other parts of the country. It would involve not only the military.”