COUNCIL BOSS SPEAKS ON INSECURITY AS HE BOWS OUT OF OFFICE
Gwer West Council Area in Benue State is one of the areas devastated by the herdsmen invasion of Benue State and its attendant’s implications. In this special interview with Senior Reporters Erdue Due and Raph Mbaiorga, the outgoing council boss speaks out on security issues surrounding Gwer West: Excerpts:
THE TRANSMITTER: May we meet you formally Sir?
CHAIR: I am Hon. Ayagah Francis, Caretaker Chairman, and Gwer West Local Government Council of Benue State.
THE TRANSMITTER: What can you say is the challenge of your people and the Gwer West?
CHAIR: The local government is a system of government which is closer to the people. It is a government which is supposed to provide for the local man. I came as a chairman, precisely on the 12th June, 2017. When I did, I had a blueprint which I hoped I would follow. But being into the system, I realized that my dreams and hopes are stillborn. I erroneously thought the finances of the local government would be directly accrued into my hands. Not only in Benue State, what comes to the local government in terms of finances was rigidly regulated and monitored by the state government. That is one. Another impediment I had was the continuous dwindling of allocation from the federal government. The allocation from the federal government had not been enough for the local government to function effectively. Thirdly, my local government had been one of the local governments which are most badly affected by the Fulani invasion. As a system of government, you cannot completely rely on what comes from the federal government account. You need to diversify and this diversification was not possible because, seven out of fifteen council wards of my local government were displaced and you know when your house is on fire, it is difficult to concentrate. These three setbacks greatly affected my vision for my local government.
THE TRANSMITTER: What were your personal initiatives at battling the Fulani marauders?
CHAIR: Fulani invasion is a national issue and like I keep saying, you cannot treat the symptoms and claim you are treating a disease. When you want to treat a disease, you look at the causes of such disease. Prior to the Anti-grazing law, there were few Fulani in my local government, not indigenes though. I am over fifty years old. If they were, I would have known. They were visitors. When I came on board as the chairman and in order to avert future problems I called the Fulani for series of meetings. I tried to make them understand that they are also farmers who rear cattle and it is wrong for a farmer to destroy the other’s farm. I was insistent on this. At the advent of the Anti-open grazing law, these same herders retreated into Nassarawa state; precisely in Rukubi. First, I must salute the efforts of Governor Ortom. He intensified calls for security meetings, we had a joint security meeting with the Nassarawa State. At the meeting, I raised my case that the herders attacking my local government were not spirits. I had their names and mobile phone numbers. I insisted that if only these persons were arrested and prosecuted, my problem would be solved. Just like the Governor kept telling the Presidency that Miyyatti Allah Kauta Hore and Miyyatti Allah Cattle Breeders claimed responsibility for the killings in the state and nobody arrested them, the same situation occurred. The Nassarawa Police Command told me that there was no way it would arrest and prosecute another person for someone else’s crime. That those people are in Nassarawa state and not in Benue state. They insisted if I knew they have agents in my state who are disturbing, I should make sure the agents are arrested and prosecuted. I did as instructed. I mobilised security agencies and twenty two herders were arrested. We handed them over to the Police. We gathered Intel reports that one of the ring leaders had a place where he normally patronizes for his food. We organized an ambush and he was arrested in the course. I and the DPO took him to the Police Headquarters here in Benue State. To my greatest dismay, after three days of been arrested, this same man called my mobile phone number and was insulting me. I went back to the state CID and asked the man in charge for an explanation about the criminal I brought before him. I was told that the man got his freedom on bail condition. There was neither investigation nor prosecution. Thereafter, I reported the matter to the state security advisor then to handle it. Upto this moment, I don’t know whether or not the man was rearrested. At home, I cautioned my people. I told them to be careful. You can only fight someone whom you can see. At the onset of the invasion, the herders adopted guerrilla warfare. You don’t know when, where and how they will attack. I created this awareness among my people. I must salute the Federal Government, because at some point, the Operation Whirl Stroke was deployed to my local government. Part of 2017 and 2018, Makurdi to Naka road was completely inaccessible due to herders’ activities. But since the arrival of the military operation, the road was reopened for passage. It hasn’t been easy at all; internally and externally, dealing with people who are less educated. In the words of one of Nigeria famous playwrights, Ola Rotimi, “people fight because their pride is injured; when you see a man beating his chest, not because he has a big chest but because, his pride has been injured.” In our case, we needed patience to tackle the herders. We are not buoyant as a people. The herders have wide network of connections. Most of them are foreigners. They have international terrorist organizations where they solicit and draw funds. Acquiring modern weapons doesn’t seem a big deal. It is this helplessness which made us to maintain steady calls on the government to intervene. My people are proud farmers and when their farms are destroyed the pains go into their bone marrow. It is a sad experience.
THE TRANSMITTER: How have you been able to cleanse your house, especially to the fact that even within you have issues of communal crises over farmlands and minor issues which ordinarily could have been handled better?
CHAIR: In every twelve, we must have a Judas. It is what I cannot doubt. Issues of war saboteurs were reported to me by the Operation Whirl Stroke where more than two persons were caught at different places and instances communicating with the enemy. It is everywhere, even in the Bible where Judas betrayed Jesus. There has been serious awareness from us to our people about the implications of such actions. It is always the duty of the community to admonish such people to refrain from their actions. Talking about Intra conflict, it is analogous that even the teeth and the tongue sometimes fight. Overzealous behaviours on the side of our people sometimes create some of the internal crises. But if there were only such crises, I wouldn’t say I have security challenges, because to do away with such issues is easier done than said.
THE TRANSMITTER: How have you been able to explore the window opportunity of the Vigilante and the Traditional institution in addressing these challenges?
CHAIR: I must appreciate everyone. There hasn’t been any attempt more than one made by my people in resisting the Fulani invasion. We started experiencing Fulani invasion since 2008. If there had been timely intervention from the government and our brothers from other local government, it wouldn’t have gotten to where it is today. We called out for help but shockingly we received mockery. The government was adamant. Our brothers and sisters from other local governments were busy distributing negative narratives on how we love meat and have been killing Fulani’s cows. Therefore, we should embrace our cross. We resisted fiercely and fearlessly until in 2012 when the herders discovered the AK47 was insufficient and resorted to use of chemical weapons. Most of our resistance heroes were killed. At their demise, fear got into everyone’s heart. “Fulaniphobia” got enthroned in every soul. Despite our gallant resistance, four out of the seven affected council wards are completely displaced of their inhabitants. As one of the greatest setbacks, the then, Governor of Nassarawa state was a chief collaborator. I can say this anywhere. There were clear intelligent reports that sometimes, the militias were conveyed in government vehicles to Rukubi. The present governor has proven to be different. Lack of encouragement has made it impossible for the militias to continue in the way and manner they used to operate.
THE TRANSMITTER: In the face of the crisis, are there humanitarian challenges?
CHAIR: There are a lot of challenges. One of the outstanding challenges is that of shelter. More than 60,000 persons are currently displaced from their ancestral homes. As the crisis persists, the number keeps increasing and it is impossible for the people to return homes because it hasn’t been any difference.
THE TRANSMITTER: Benue State is nicknamed The Food Basket of the Nation. What impact do you think the Fulani invasion has on food security in the state?
CHAIR: It hasn’t been easy anywhere. However, the amazing thing is that, in the midst of the crisis, people have improved on being one another’s helper. The displaced persons from the seven council wards now live with their brothers and sisters in the remaining eight. This arrangement is vital. They cultivate whatever they can and it has great positive impact on food security in the local government. With my people’s courage, the extents of the crisis always dwarf their efforts. Much thanks to SEMA and other NGOs for their periodic but wonderful interventions.
THE TRANSMITTER: Advice higher authorities as to the right ways of tackling insecurity in the land?
CHAIR: I earlier mentioned that it is better to treat the causes of a disease than its symptoms. Responsibility for security instability in my LGA has been claimed by a group of persons publicly. For one to discuss peace in this clime, these persons have to be arrested and prosecuted by the appropriate authorities. When this is done, we can freely discuss the concept of lasting peace. But so long as these people continue in their freedom, it is just all about treating symptoms and not causes. I must salute the state House of Assembly and the Executive arm for the collective efforts which produced the Anti-open grazing Law. The law is not for or against any person or group of persons. It is beneficiary to all. It is just the matter of strict observance of it and both crop farmers and cattle breeders will find lasting solution to all the clashes which have overtime affected both groups.
THE TRANSMITTER: You earlier saluted the efforts of the FG through the deployment of the Operation Whirl Stroke?
CHAIR: I haven’t mixed up my statements. The FG is treating symptoms. The deployment of the Operation Whirl Stroke is window dressing. Yes! I saluted the FG and still do but my reservation is that the foot soldiers (militias) are only doing the bidding of their superiors. I’m against the failure of the FG for haven’t been unable to arrest and prosecute those who openly claimed responsibility for the killings in the country- especially in my LGA.
THE TRANSMITTER: The enactment of the Anti-open grazing law has empowered the Livestock Guard for its enforcement. How has the Guards been able to executive their mandate in your LGA?
CHAIR: Yes! They have been functional. The only challenge is they are not empowered to be armed. It is quit strange to ask someone to battle with bare hands an opponent who is always armed to the tooth. In spite of their disadvantageous position, the Guards have been tremendously helpful. Just in a year, they made arrest of over one thousand cattle. I think they will do better if allowed to carry weapons of equal strength as done by the herders.
THE TRANSMITTER: we didn’t hear you mention financial challenges CHAIR: Not at all. You can’t prosecute security matters without adequate financing. The state is in a bad financial state and it is affecting the local government. I’m happy that the operation Whirl Stroke and the Livestock Guards are very supportive and seem to understand the situation on ground. Most badly affected as a result of poor financing is the military operation.
