Garba Shehu, presidential spokesman, says thousands of criminal herdsmen nationwide are being tried for their atrocious acts.
Mr Shehu stated this on Monday while appearing on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily.
Pastoralists are being accused of spearheading rising insecurity bedeviling the nation. Their activities in the Southern part of the country has led to attacks on their settlements.
In the South-East geo-political zone, the Eastern Security Network (ESN) owned by Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB) is leading the offensive, chasing them out from their place of abode where they usually seek refuge after attacking host communities.
In the South-West, series of quit notice have been issued by state and non-state actors with the last involving an attack on Hausa market in Oyo State at the weekend.
“I hope that the police will take responsibility and publish the full list of Fulani herders who are undergoing trial in various states, particularly in Benue State,” Mr. Shehu said. “Trials are going on, convictions are being made and the President cannot be complicit in the kind of things that are being said of him.”
“The President is more than concerned about the ongoing situation and he is fully conscious of the fact that it is the responsibility of his government to work with all Nigerians to secure lives and stop the ongoing crises, whether they are kidnapping or ethnic hatred and violence. He condemns it.
“It is for community leaders – local, traditional, and elected – to work with the President.
“The country’s military, as we speak, is overstretched because they are active in at least 34 of the 36 states of the federation, including the FCT.
“The Air Force, the police, they are recruiting, day and night; people are being trained in special operations and are being sent to the forest,” Shehu added.
