Nigerian governor sparks anger for defending herdsmen who carry AK-47
- Some Nigerians have expressed shock over the comments by Governor Bala Mohammed concerning the herdsmen and farmers crisis
- Mohammed was accused of escalating the tension in the country
- Many notable Nigerians have been calling for the ban on open grazing
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Nigerians have faulted the Bauchi state governor, Bala Mohammed, for saying herdsmen are compelled to carry firearms for self-defence.
Mohammed was credited to have made the statement during the press week celebration organised by the correspondents’ chapel of Nigeria Union Journalists, Bauchi state council.
He explained that herdsmen carry arms to prevent cattle rustlers from killing them and taking away their cows.
Source: Twitter
However, the governor has come under serious criticism from some Nigerians on Twitter who accused him of supporting lawlessness.
The majority of those who reacted to the comment said Governor Mohammed was wrong to have made such a statement.
Read some reactions of Nigerians below:
Dr. Dípò Awójídé @OgbeniDipo said:
''The sensible thing to do is get ranches and rear their cattle’s there. This is 2021, not 1901. Or should all farmers carry AK-47 too?
DJ TESLIM OSHANA @DjteslimOshana said:
''If they can carry ak47 for self defense then we carry ak49 too... Mad governor''
Jide Taiwo @Iam_JideTaiwo said:
''With the insecurity in the country, everybody should start carrying Ak-47 for self defence, right Agbaya.''
Amorous @Amrosty said:
''Result of them being backed by gov Bala for carrying AK47.''
Meanwhile, the Kano state governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, has declared that climate change is forcing foreign herders into the country.
Channels TV reported that he said the movement of cattle from one part of the nation to another is not new.
Legit.ng gathered the governor explained that climate change has reduced the number of cattle routes in the country, leading to herders encroaching on people’s land.
In another report, the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) on Thursday, February 11 said it had reached a consensus on the need for the country to transition into modern systems of animal husbandry that will replace open, night, and underage grazing in the country.
The NGF's resolution was contained in a communique signed by its chairman and Ekiti state governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.
Kess Ewubare is a senior political/current affairs correspondent at Legit.ng. He has both a BSc and a Master’s degree in mass communication. He has over 10 years of experience in working in several fields of mass communication including radio, TV, newspaper, and online. For Kess, journalism is more than a career, it is a beautiful way of life.
Source: Legit.ng
