The Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed, has begged Fulani herdsmen against wielding AK-47 rifles after he was heavily criticised for saying that they carried the weapons for self-defence.
He made the appeal at the Galambi cattle ranch during the annual livestock vaccination campaign in the state capital on Wednesday.
Recall that Mohammed had incurred heavy backlash over his comment that the herdsmen resorted to going around with AK-47 rifles for self-defence because the government has failed to protect them.
His Benue State counterpart, Samuel Ortom was one of those who slammed the Bauchi governor.
Speaking at the vaccination programme, Mohammed insisted that he used a figure of speech on the AK-47 comment, and advised the herdsmen not to take his misinterpret him by taking up arms.
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However, the governor said he had no apologies for defending herdsmen against those bent on profiling them as killers.
“We kicked against the profiling of the Fulanis as killers and kidnappers. We have no apology for what we have said, because what we have done is to say the truth — that there is no tribe or ethnic group that is free from criminality.
“We are not saying that to spite anybody or spark unnecessary controversy. We have made our point and Nigerians across the board have discussed it, and I am happy to say that from all indications, the majority of sensible Nigerians have appreciated what we have said and that is the point.
“What I will do, I will not say it here, but I will do everything possible to make sure I protect you and lend support to you, because I know you mean well,” Mohammed said.