CCC: Death Toll from Herdsmen, Farmers’ Clashes, Intolerable

CCC: Death Toll from Herdsmen, Farmers’ Clashes, Intolerable

•Condemns call for Nigeria’s break-up

•Cautions on military solution to Chibok girls, amnesty to Boko Haram

 Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC) has raised the alarm that the rate of killings resulting from the recurring violent clashes between suspected Fulani herdsmen and local farmers across the country has reached intolerable stage.

The Executive Secretary of the CCC, Air Commodore Yusuf Anas (rtd), stated this on Wednesday in Abuja during its one year anniversary media briefing, where the Centre touched on several burning issues bordering on national security.

Anas, while commending the current efforts being put in place by the government to tackle the menace, however, called on all stakeholders to open up discussions towards finding a lasting solution.

According to him, "The recurrent clashes between herdsmen and farmers in various parts of the country, which have continued to result in the deaths of many Nigerians have reached a crescendo.

"The Centre welcomes the incumbent government action aimed at finding lasting solution to the deadly clashes. The Centre also believes that more discussion and legislative actions at the National Assembly level are needed to fashion out appropriate laws guiding cattle herding in the country with a view to stemming the tide of recurring incidences of bloody attacks."

In the same vein, Anas said the renewed militancy in the Niger Delta has been very costly to Nigeria in terms of loss of lives, damage to critical national infrastructures and environmental degradation.

He called on stakeholders in the region to prevail on the militant groups to embrace the olive branch of dialogue in order to address their demands, "immediately cease from their clandestine operations and restrain from all sides to avoid unwarranted consequences."

Also, the CCC boss condemned calls by various groups and well-meaning Nigerians for either restructuring or break up of Nigeria.

He said the Centre does not believe in or subscribe to anything other than a peaceful, united, prosperous and progressive Nigeria.

"The CCC has no problem with Nigerians with different altruistic intentions coming out to proffer solutions to the country's myriad of challenges.

"In fact, the Centre believes and encourages healthy cross fertilization of ideas and exchanges aimed at making our democracy and country great. However, we urge Nigerians to be circumspect with calls for the breakup of the country," Anas said.

Concerning the re-invigorated calls for the rescue of the Chibok girls, Anas called on the authorities to apply multi-pronged approach, saying: "Military solution is not the only option."

He stressed that the "recent overtures by the Abubakar Shekau-led Boko Haram faction for the release of the abducted Chibok girls in exchange for some members of his group has provided another basis for dialogue.

"We noted with satisfaction the ardent desire of the government for the quick release of the girls through a genuine facilitations, negotiations and meditations. The Centre however urges the government to continue to keep all options open.”