TheCable

The military and other security agencies will prioritise the growing attacks carried out by Fulani herdsmen and respond to it with a “joint operation” as has happened with insurgency.

Rabe Abubakar, the acting director, defence information, said this according to a Punch report on Thursday. 

“The current resurgence of this issue of herdsmen is something which must be given a priority now that there is a glaring security threat to lives and property, which the armed forces and other security agencies cannot close their eyes to,” he said.

Nigerians had criticised President Muhammadu Buhari for his “constant silence” on the brazen attacks by suspected herdsmen, the latest being the murder of dozens at Ukpabi Nimbo Community in Uzo-Uwani local government area of Enugu state.

On Wednesday, the president finally spoke up and directed the military and the police to put a stop to the deeds of herdsmen.

The defence spokesperson said that the president’s directive will be totally complied with and will be a joint operation with other security agencies in the country.

“The ideas of joint operation will always be there because it is a common knowledge that it is not a one service business. It must involve all other security agencies.

“Each and every one of us has a role to play: physical security, giving information, synergising with other stakeholders. That is what we are doing in the North-East and the Niger Delta and other parts.”

“All efforts are now on towards ensuring that there is security of lives and property in the general area where such activities of herdsmen are being carried out.

“Just of recent, the President has given us a directive and it is something which we must comply with and in other cases, we deploy our men through operations such as the one against cattle rustling, Operation Sharandaji, which is to ensure that no herdsmen involved in criminal activities are spared.”