Herdsmen crisis: Farmers now carry AK-47, APC governor cries out
- Plateau state governor, Simon Lalong, recently lamented over the rapid increase of arms among herders and farmers
- Lalong alleged that farmers just like herdsmen now go around with AK-47 and other firearms for protection
- The governor noted that both herdsmen and farmers were arrested with AK-47 during their crisis in the state
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Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau state alleged that farmers now make use of AK-47 rifles for self-defence, saying herdsmen alone should not be crucified for carrying arms, The Punch reports.
Lalong groaned over the rapid increase of arms including AK-47 rifles amongst herders and farmers in Nigeria under the guise of guarding themselves.
The chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum (NGF) made this known while speaking as a guest on Channels Television's Sunrise Daily on Tuesday, February 23.
Source: Twitter
According to him when the farmers-herdsmen clashes took place in Plateau, both herdsmen and farmers were arrested with AK-47 rifles.
He explained that in the course of investigations it was discovered that farmers too carried arms.
The Benue governor added that deliberate efforts must be in place to stop them from holding weapons.
He stressed that the full implementation of the National Livestock Transformation Plan was the solution to the incessant clashes between host farmers and nomadic cattle rearers.
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Herdsmen have right to carry arms, Bauchi governor declares
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi state said herdsmen are not to be blamed for bearing firearms.
The governor said they are only protecting themselves against cattle rustlers who attack, kill and take away their possessions.
Mohammed spoke as a special guest of honour at the launch of the inaugural edition of the Bauchi correspondents’ chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ)’s magazine titled ‘Correspondents’ Watch” on Thursday, February 11.
Bauchi governor addresses comment supporting AK-47 for herders
However, Governor Mohammed on Friday, February 19, defended his comment about armed herders.
According to the governor, his comment supporting herdsmen arming themselves with AK-47 rifles was a figure of speech endorsing their protection.
The comment of the governor had sparked outrage across Nigeria, with many accusing him of supporting criminality.
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Oluwatobi Bolashodun is a Legit.ng journalist with six years of working experience in the media industry. She graduated from Babcock University in 2012 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communication. Oluwatobi is a Current Affairs Editor, mostly writing on political, educational, and business topics. She uses her team spirit to encourage others to work hard.
Source: Legit.ng
