Do you know that the Fulani people also conduct mass burials? This will shock you......

The last few days has been very traumatic for me. Because I was troubled in my body, spirit and soul. Trying to reflect on the events of the last few days, the killings in Plateau state that took hundreds of lives, the communal clash between indigenes of Cross River state and Ebonyi State where scores were reported killed and many others across the country. I have made no post politically either in support or against anybody. I was just mourning because of all that lost their lives including animals that were either deliberately killed or caught in the crossfire. Without being biased, I want to state categorically that the security agents of the state failed in their responsibility and by extension the federal government of Nigeria lead by President Muhammad Buhari. It's an established fact that it's the responsibility of government to protect live and properties but it doesn't seem to be the case here. Therefore, the federal government should as a matter of urgency review the architectural infrastructure of our security so that they all can work together in terms of intelligent sharing. I am convinced that the government knows exactly what to do, but I see complacency in the entire matter and this is not good for their image. This must stop and urgent steps taken to prevent future occurrence.

On the other hand, public outcry and sentiments, press reportage and the overall perception of these killings especially as it patterns to the headsmen and the farmers has not helped matters. I see and smell hypocrisy everywhere. It's rather unfortunate and we unconsciously push this crises to continue because we have never been fair, truthful and objective. I hate playing politics with the lives of people. As we escalate the crises through our outburst, one sided analysis and hypocrisy, we extend the crises without knowing that our reaction and attitude matters. Once a bad news breaks, many people sees it as a delicious meal on their table to feed on and their next destination is social media where they upload, update and write unthinkable things to fuel the crises more.

The one that disturbs me is the argument about the placement of cows before human lives. How can such be possible? How?In all the debate no one has proffered solutions. It's even more annoying that more than 90% of those who so passionately talk about headsmen/farmers clashes don't even know the genesis of the conflict. Rather what we see are nothing but ethno-religious sentiments powered by ignorance to drive home a certain ill conceived political position that will not help anyone or heal any past wounds. The press has messed up the polity and make the conflict look like only a particular people, tribe or religion were being killed to achieve a hidden agenda which the gullible masses has bought, assimilated and so believed. Some have termed it ethnic cleansing while others in their pursuit of undue political relevance have brought in the religious card making it look like Muslims against the Christians. In Plateau state, both sides lost people and properties. But the figures that are reported are only those killed by the headsmen. The Fulani community also perform mass burials just like others, but no one gets to report or talk about it.Probably and most likely, they do not command the numbers on social media and therefore no one shares their post if they ever come up. This is sad and must also stop.

Predicated on the above,this is my position on the cow/human life debate and not supporting any party; if a robber enter my compound armed to steal my day old chick, with the gun in my hand, he is a dead man already. Dose that mean that I value the life of my day old chick more than a human life? No. Does it mean that I value my day old chick more than the robber? Yes. The robber have come to steal, kill and destroy and because I have a contract with my domestic animals to protect them against invaders, no one should blame me for my action. You may not like my line of thought, but the truth is that you will act the same way. Every one that I know will fight to finish in other to protect and safeguard their source of livelihood from external invaders. The farmers will do anything to protect their farmland and crops while the headsmen will do the same for their cows. The augment that the Fulani value cow more than human life is nothing but an unreasonable position born out of hatred. A cow is more expensive when compared to a day old chick. But see where tampering with my animal landed the robber. Retaliatory actions are often times more devastating because they are well planed.

However, one thing is very important, grazing is no more fashionable. It is uncivilized, unrefined and thuggish to still roam about with animals. It's primitive and should not be heard of and in most cases, the headers are to be blamed for sparking off these conflicts that have consumed thousands of lives and properties. I know that the Berom youths who killed the 5 Fulanis, their cows and at the same time set their vehicle ablaze acted based on what the headers must have done in the past. Retaliatory actions happens when the security agencies fail to do the needful. Victims are always looking for justice and always take extreme and undesirable actions/self help when Justice is not seen to have been done.

We must encourage government with the proposed ranches if that will help stop these killings. Government should initiate moves via concrete conflict resolution approaches to heal the wounds of both parties and build trust among communities. People must be punished for their evil deeds so that victims will see justice served. Murderes from both side must be punished. Press should report objectively if they are really the Fourth Estate (or fourth power). The press wields a significant influence on society even though it is not a formally recognized part of the political system. Nigeria Emergency Social Media, radio and TV commentators must be careful. They are equally as guilty as the media outfits.

Warning!!!
***Do not impose your understanding of my position to mean "JUSTIFICATION" for any killings. I condenm every senseless killings of innocent people anywhere in the world***