Disturbed by the spate of insecurity characterised
by killings and kidnappings in the Southwest, the pan-Yoruba socio-political group,
Afenifere, on Monday called on the people to activate their traditional and
communal self-defence system in the face of threats.
The call was part of the communique issued at the
end of the General Assembly of the organisation held at the Akure, Ondo State
residence of its leader, Chief Reuben Fasoranti, which was attended by leaders
from the South-west geo political zone.
The communique was read by the National Publicity
Secretary of the group, Yinka Odumakin, and entitled: ‘We must stop this
genocide’.
Afenifere said Yoruba land was under serious siege
with the activities of the Fulani marauders in form of killings, kidnappings and
rape.
The socio-political group reiterated the warning
that Nigeria should not wait till the matter degenerated to the level of
another civil war.
The group said: "Those who have studied events
in Liberia Somalia, Rwanda and Sudan would not miss the fact that this was how
events started until full-scale civil wars broke out."
Odumakin said the spate of wanton killings going on
across Nigeria was being perpetrated largely
by Fulani herdsmen/militia as the only group that are in possession of unlicenced
sophisticated weapons in Nigeria.
Afenifere said acts were being perpetrated without
fear of any consequence as they seem to have official backing and promotion.
According to the Afenifere, the killings targeted
at non-Fulani groups across the country are willful and deliberate in pursuit
of expansionist and conquest agenda.
Publicity Secretary said: "The government in
place has betrayed perceived complicity
as we are not aware of any member of the killer group on trial for these
monumental crimes even when Miyetti Allah has owned up to some of them.
"Instead, the regime has treated them with kid
gloves, making excuses for their crimes with our Information Ministry and presidential
media office being made to look like Boko Haram and Miyetti Allah media centre
as they issue statements to defend these groups even when they are not
defending themselves, with the presidency equating Miyetti Allah with Afenifere
and Ohanaeze in order to confer legitimacy on them.
"And lately, it is the insensitive and
impunity-inspired decision of the federal government to open a Fulani radio station
for the herdsmen in violation of the Federal Character spirit of our
constitution.
"To avert this destructive scenario, we call
on the federal government to immediately readdress its priorities in these
matters and begin the process of running an inclusive country while re-defining
law and order so that no citizen would take the life of another without fear of
consequences.”
Afenifere equally called on the international
community not to stand aloof as Nigeria drives to the edge of precipice.
The Yoruba organisation noted that it would be a
big burden for the global community if things get out of hand in Nigeria.
Odumakin added: "The situation has become much
more frightening with the claim by a recently kidnapped don at Obafemi Awolowo
University Ile-Ife that he noticed that one of the policemen who stopped him at
a checkpoint shortly before he was abducted made a call.
"He said the policeman is of the same ethnic
stock with the Fulani herdsmen who kidnapped him thereafter.
"We want the police authorities to properly
investigate this as it sends a worrying signal."
Afenifere also commended former President, Chief
Olusegun Obasanjo, and other patriots who credited the wave of terror going on in
Nigeria by Boko Haram and Miyetti Allah to the ‘Fulanisation project’ in West
Africa.
"We commend his boldness in speaking the truth no
matter how inconvenient it maybe , which is the hallmark of a statesman.
"We also acknowledge the forthrightness of the Nobel
Laureate Prof Wole Soyinka, Gen David Jemibewon, Col David Bamigboye, Ohanaeze
Ndigbo, Pan Niger Delta Forum(PANDEF), Middle Belt Forum and all other patriots
who have backed Obasanjo's statement," Odumakin said.
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