Stop further killings by Fulani herdsmen, Archbishop tells Buhari

The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, His Grace, Alfred Adewale Martins has reached out to President Muhammadu Buhari.

Photo: President Muhammadu Buhari received Catholic Bishops in Statehouse, on Monday, May 2, 2016.

He urged him to urgently address the menace being perpetuated by Fulani herdsmen across the Southern parts of the country.

He said that the government’s seeming apathy on the issue may soon spark off volatile reprisal attacks that would destabilize the peace and security of the entire country.

He is also calling on the president to be more proactive in salvaging the dwindling state of the economy in order to avert an imminent breakdown of the system.

Archbishop Martins is apparently irked by the alleged incessant killings of farmers across the middle-belt.

Also evident is the recent bloody invasion of Ukpabi, Nimbo in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State by the herdsmen.

He condemned the attack in its entirety and called on President Buhari to speak up on a lasting solution to the lingering crisis.

He also asked the president to bring the perpetuators of the ghastly acts to book.

His statement is contained in a release on the state of the nation signed by the Director of Social Communications, Msgr. Gabriel Osu.

The Metropolitan of the Lagos Archdiocese expressed wonder at the relevant law enforcement agencies, especially the police.

He wondered why they have allegedly continued to treat with kids glove reports of similar incidences brought to their notice.

He warned that their inability to curtail the excesses of the herdsmen clearly sends the signal that they are above the law.

The prelate equally noted with dismay that the poor masses were already disenchanted.

They are disenchanted with the frequent excuses being bandied by the present administration as reasons why they have not been performing. 

He therefore challenged President Buhari and his team to buckle up by tackling prevailing challenges.

He asked him to introduce far-reaching palliatives that would urgently address the rots in the system and provide food on the table of Nigerians.

Archbishop Martins also spoke on the near-comatose state of the economy.

He lamented the inability of the present government to put an end to the lingering fuel scarcity, and epileptic power supply.

He said they have caused untold hardship on the long-suffering masses of the country who had voted them into power in anticipation of positive change.

Archbishop Martins noted the complexities of challenges facing the country at this period in time.

He urged Nigerians not to lose hope as God has not forsaken them. 

He however called on the leadership to be more practical in showing empathy for the suffering masses.

This they could do by cutting down on unnecessary luxury and profligacy.

He challenged them to channel the nation’s resources appropriately to better the lots of the citizens.

Justine John Dyikuk

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