Leading socio-cultural groups across the country have condemned the committee set up by the Federal Government to investigate herdsmen killings across the country, describing it as “nonsensical and diversionary”.
The 10-member committee has Vice President Yemi Osinbajo as head and Governors Darius Ishaku (Taraba) and Samuel Ortom (Benue), whose states have incurred the worst casualties, as members.
But the inclusion of the two governors is a bone of contention for the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), The Punch reported.
In a report, the paper quoted the North East Zonal Chairman, MACBAN, Alhaji Mafindi Danburam, as saying the committee would not produce any meaningful result due to the inclusion of the two governors.
He added that the duo would try to influence other members.
Danburam further alleged that the two governors had “promulgated military decrees” in their states.
He stressed that the anti-open grazing laws in the states were anti-Fulani.
In the same vein, Yoruba apex socio-cultural group Afenifere said the committee was unnecessary and diversionary.
The group’s spokesman, Yinka Odumakin added that the committee was “nonsensical” because it has been set up to “look for what is not lost”.
He alleged that the herdsmen were “killing people like chickens” while the president is “keeping quiet”.
“It is like sending the IG to Benue, to go and do what? The committee is diversionary, it is unnecessary and it shows the absence of leadership in the country. The committee is nonsensical,” Odumakin said.
Similarly, the Igbo apex socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, accused the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration of double standards.
National Publicity Secretary of the group, Prince Uche Achi- Okpaga, wondered why the same government that sent the military to quash the activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) without setting up a committee is not meting out the same treatment to the Fulani herdsmen.