IS NIGERIA FACING A NEW BOKO HARAM IN FULANI HERDSMEN?

IS NIGERIA FACING A NEW BOKO HARAM IN FULANI HERDSMEN?

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH A LONDON BASED COUNTER-TERRORISM EXPERT/ANALYST.

David Otto Endeley is a Counter Terrorism and Organised Crime expert and Chief executive of TGS INTELLIGENCE AND SECURITY CONSULTANTS based in London. In this exclusive interview with Paul Ihechi Alagba of FAMILY WRITERS, he talks tough on the activities of Fulani Herdsmen, the possibility of alliance with other terrorist groups like Boko Haram, its influence on secessionist groups such as Biafra agitation and the need for an urgent government attention to tackle the menace having decried the under-reportage on the part of Western media outfits.

David Otto Endeley

SIR, AS A COUNTER-TERRORISM EXPERT WITH GREAT FOCUSES ON AFRICAN NUMEROUS SECURITY CHALLENGES, HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE ACTIVITIES OF FULANI HERDSMEN IN NIGERIA?


The activities of Fulani herdsmen are under-reported, but it is definitely developing into a major Security threat to local, national and regional stakeholders. The threat which has taken various forms including a religious connotation has caused terror within communities leading to several casualties, destruction and damage to assets and above all, displacement of men, women and children.


HOW WOULD YOU EXPLAIN THE METHOD OF ATTACKS OF THE HERDSMEN, THE IDEOLOGY DRIVING THEM AND THE POSSIBILITY OF A DIRECT LINK WITH OTHER TERRORIST GROUPS SUCH AS BOKO HARAM?
   
 These local herdsmen have sophisticated weapons and plan strategic attacks on villages and individuals like conventional organised crime groups. This makes it easy for such groups to easily feed terrorist groups like Boko Haram directly or indirectly. Their believe in the Islamic religion acts as a powerful bond and a push factor. This is manifested in their choice of target. Constant attacks against mostly non-Muslim indigenes, churches, schools etc makes it possible for such groups to come in contact and share resources with Boko Haram. This is my opinion, it has little to do with the Salafist Jihadist ideology.

DO YOU MEAN FULANI HERDSMEN CO-RELATES WITH BOKO HARAM?

 We must accept that Fulani herdsmen and their attack on local communities as a result of conflicts on grazing fields has existed for centuries back- during the days of Uthman Dan Fodio, before Boko Haram began in early 2000. It is therefore difficult to affiliate what the Fulani herders are doing with the terrorist activities of Boko Haram. But count no affiliation out as these groups are complex to fully comprehend. The Fulani herdsmen crisis has been a historical problem that requires urgent attention. It may have links to Boko Haram but its particular goals are unique and can be addressed by good governance and good leadership.



IS THERE ANY ISLAMISATION AGENDA IN THE ACTIVITIES OF THE HERDSMEN AS BEING ALLEGED BY NIGERIAN CHRISTIANS ESPECIALLY BIAFRANS?

 The Fulani herdsmen practice Islam as their religion. Most of the places which have experienced clashes have been occupied by Non-Muslims or Christian communities like in the Middle Belt region. It is therefore easy for these conflicts to transcend the issue of land or farm encroachment and express itself into a religious conflict of Muslims against Non-Muslims. Every religion including Christianity has at one point in history embarked on a policy of spreading its faith based by force to those of other or no religion. The Islamic religion is not the only guilty culprit. Religion has become the politics of power.


GIVEN THAT THE HERDSMEN ARE ENCROACHING THE BIAFRA REGIONS AND OTHER SOUTH WESTERN REGIONS, FOR INSTANCE IN DELTA STATE, A MONARCH WAS KIDNAPPED AND LATER MURDERED IN COLD BLOOD, SAME HAPPENED IN SOUTH WEST BUT THIS TIME THE MONARCH WAS RELEASED AFTER RANSOME WAS PAID, THERE HAS ALSO BEEN RECORDED CLASHES IN ENUGU, DELTA etc. DO ALL THESE JUSTIFY THE ASSERTION BY BIAFRANS THAT THE NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT HAS FAILED WOEFULLY IN GUARANTEE MAXIMUM PROTECTION OF THEIR LIVES AND PROPERTIES HENCE, THE MORE NEEDFUL FOR AN INDEPENDENT BIAFRA STATE?


 The Nigerian government has the sovereignty, responsibility and duty to guarantee peace and security of the entire nation and that includes protecting lives and properties of each of their religion, ethnic group irrespective of their political affiliations and perceived grievances against the State or Secessionist demands. If it fails to perform its duty as the constitution demands, good-will citizens have the full right to raise public concerns and even protest peacefully. This is a universal sovereign right that should be afforded to those who experience these clashes in the South East and South South of Nigeria.


DO YOU THINK THE NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT IS DOING ENOUGH TO CURTAIL THIS MENACE BY THE HERDERS?

At the moment, Nigerian government and the international community has given all its attention to Boko Haram but a deadly blind spot been left unattended with these cattle herders especially in the Middle Belt. The President (Muhammadu Buhari) and his government must recognise that this re-occurring issue with Normads clashing with local communities over grazing land could become a serious national security issue- IF NOT BIGGER AND MIGHTIER THAN BOKO HARAM. The issue must be given heavy weight and attention, if not, the regions of this crisis will not experience lasting peace with ethnic clashes.

IS THERE ANY EFFECT OR RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE CURRENT AGITATIONS FOR A SOVEREIGN BIAFRA STATE AND THE ACTIVITIES OF FULANI HERDSMEN?

The push for independence of Biafra State has little effect on the Fulani herdsmen crisis. This is a matter of self determination. The herdsmen are going through a resource ownership conflict.


FINALLY, WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE TO NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT ON HOW BEST TO TACKLE THIS LINGERING PROBLEM OF THE FULANI HERDERS?


There is need to amend the constitution so that Fulani herdsmen could have specific grazing fields. They should improve farming and industrialisation techniques so that the needs of the local communities who depend solely on agriculture should remain a priority over grazing animals. Effective governance within the affected areas must be established as most of these conflicts take place in ungoverned spaces and remote villages with no governance or security architecture in place. 


David Otto Endeley can be contacted on twitter- @ottotgs

White House phone call starts today 29th Of March. As Buhari visits USA, Biafrans call the White House

Once again, Barak Obama, United States of America (USA) President will shake the bloodstained hands of Muhammadu Buhari, Nigerian President and African Hitler. This will most probably take place any time between March 30 and April 1, when Obama will be hosting the Nuclear Security Summit in his country.

Biafrans will take their worldwide telephone evangelism to the Whitehouse to register their disagreement with such a meeting. Biafrans are therefore charged by the leadership of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to start from today, to explain to the USA government the inappropriateness of their country (noted for its respect and protection of human rights), associating with the likes Muhammadu Buhari.

Obama will be welcoming Buhari, the certified blood-spiller, to the USA in spite of the innocent Biafrans he (Buhari) sent to early graves in Biafraland and elsewhere. As a matter of fact, Obama has welcomed the mass murderer in his country, twice in the past.

Biafrans think that by now, the USA President should have known enough of Buhari’s numerous crimes against humanity, to find it inconvenient to still welcome him; shake his hand; and listen to his irritatingly incoherent language.

The Whitehouse number to call is: +12024561111

BOKO HARAM DID NOT SURRENDER THEY WENT FOR REBRANDING

BOKO HARAM DID NOT SURRENDER THEY WENT FOR REBRANDING

By Chima Onyekachi
For Family Writers

There has been purported report in the media about the surrender of Abubakar Shekau, the leader of the Islamic terrorist Boko Haram. Abubakar Shekau recently emerged in a new Boko Haram video where he greeted his brethren who are fighting for Allah. He also announced to them that they will be receiving confidential information from those they have forged good relation and that the end has come for him.

Boko Haram

The Nigeria government has given a new meaning to the video and through their various media platforms has called it the surrender of Shekau and BokoHaram, which is falsehood. Let it be known that Boko Haram has different franchise sponsored and financed by powerful and connected Hausa/Fulani politicians with the sole aim of getting back political control.

Muhammadu Buhari the African Hitler is a beneficiary of the atrocities of Boko Haram and had also influenced their activities during the last administration of Goodluck Jonathan. Since Buhari became president, he has begun to assimilate his own Boko Haram franchise into the Nigeria armed forces as a form of settlement and for the continuous islamisation of the military.

It is also worthy to note that other franchise of Boko Haram owned by other northern politicians are still very much on ground and wrecking havoc. Abubakar Shekau has spoken to reassure his people to continue with the ongoing " Jihad" and to also pass a message about his possible retirement. The emergence of a new leader for Boko Haram is in the offing and a new strategy for the islamisation of Nigeria has began. Let no one be fooled because Boko Haram still remains the number one most deadly terrorist group in the world.

YOUR HEADS WILL BE NEXT NOT YOUR SHOPS

YOUR HEADS WILL BE NEXT NOT YOUR SHOPS.

By Chima Onyekachi

For Family Writers.


I have written enough to warn Biafrans sojourning outside Biafraland especially those in Arewa and Yoruba land on the needs to gradually return their businesses or have a backup plan in Biafraland, and this maybe the last article by me to warn them. Biafrans are naturally talented, ambitious and industrious and will turn a desert into paradise in a few period of time. In Yoruba land, Biafrans are been made to pay heavily, imposed levy, and without prior warning or compensation, their shops are demolished and goods worth millions destroyed. The clamor for the restoration of the sovereign state of Biafra has intensified the hatred and subjugation of Biafrans residing and making a living in Arewa and Yoruba land.

Igbo Biafrans shops on fire

Less than three months after fire gutted the Singer Food market in Kano destroying goods and shops, mostly belonging to Biafrans. A massive fire began on March 25, 2016 at the popular Sabon Gari Market and lasted for over 12 hours destroying goods and properties worth millions. While the fire was raging, Hausa/Fulani youths in their hundreds were in the scene celebrating and chanting “Allah Akbar!” — Arabic for “Allah is greatest!” Even on Twitter, Hausa/Fulani youths were encouraging and threatening to burn down more markets and churches. Also, on the same day, Birnin Kebbi Central Market, Kebbi State was been ravished by fire, destroying millions of goods and properties belonging to Biafrans. These fire outbreaks were purposely started to bring sorrow and pain to Biafrans and should not be taken for granted, because more atrocities is been planned against their wellbeing.

It is well known that Biafrans can easily assimilate into any society they find themselves, but that has given the Arewa and Yoruba people more reasons to frustrate and torment them. Biafrans needs to understand that no matter how much they change their religion, clothing, food and cultural practices in other to be accepted, they can never be loved by the Arewa and Yoruba people. I know they are lovely and sensible Arewa and Yoruba people but they are in the minority and cannot save Biafrans from the brutality of their people. To the Biafrans especially those from the Igbo clan: why do you prefer to build your future on the sandy land of your enemies? Is there any place given specifically for strangers to reside in Biafraland? Are strangers not allowed to roam and reside wherever that pleases them in Biafraland? Has any market dominated by Arewa and Yoruba people in Biafraland been burnt down before? Has any mosque been burnt down in Biafraland? There are lots of question to be asked to the ignorant Biafrans who have chosen death instead of life. For the last time, I am alerting Biafrans to begin to move bulk of their livelihood to Biafra land to avoid the looming calamity. The next time Hausa/Fulani youths will be shouting "Allahu Akbar" to them, their lifeless bodies will be lying on the ground without their heads.

UWAZURIKE'S SILENCE OVER KANU'S WITNESSES: BIM MUST HAVE FOCUS

UWAZURIKE'S SILENCE OVER KANU'S WITNESSES: BIM MUST HAVE FOCUS

By Ifeanyi Chijioke
For Family Writers

I am a very passionate person that loves constructive and logical columns. I don't believe in making noise or attacking people for no apparent reason or just because they don't support or buy your idea like Nigerian media does. I solemnly believe in fairness and truth at all cost, we all know that the problem with Nnamdi Kanu and Nigeria is truth. Nnamdi kanu says truth and even the truth that should not be said, he says it fearlessly.  I have tried to live like Nnamdi kanu, but it is not always easy, hence in this column, I will surely live like Nnamdi Kanu.

Lately, one information went viral online. The information was that Uwazurike is behind the witnesses that will falsely testify against Nnamdi Kanu. Uwazurike heard this but never cleared the air; one would not say he is not media friendly because he is such a man that flirts with media. He would always pick his phone to call or deny any "allegation" by Uchenna Madu through his regional coordinators via press. But in this case of heavy accusation, he chose to be silent. Silence signifies accession in most cases and that is how I see this development. Uwazurike might be shocked as to how the information got to IPOB that he is behind the witnesses. The shock left him speechless that he could not deny this his atrocity against Biafra and the man of the people. He had kidnapped and sought to kill Kanu, why won't he use this opportunity he has now to finally nail our legend?  I have in a previous column stated that Biafra restoration is a serious threat to Uwazurike because he will surely answer questions to the government of Biafra. I would not love to digress as I have an important avenue to explore.

Uwazurike lacks common sense, having being expelled in MASSOB it would have been honourable to resign from Biafra restoration course. His face will be saved and there will be respect left, he has done greatly in his early days and having lost focus by circumstance, he ought to freeze than fight against Biafra he once fought for.  However, it is advisable for Uwazurike to retreat. It is important to know that Nnamdi Kanu carries the destiny of millions of Biafrans. Nnamdi Kanu is the appeaser of millions of souls lost for the sake of Biafra. The man you once knew in 2009 is no longer the man you know today. What follows Kanu cannot be fought or killed; and the generation of anyone or people that dare Kanu will suffer immensely because Biafra is a spirit and that spirit is God. Let Uwazurike withdraw his witnesses and let his witnesses dare not the wrath of God. I am very certain and I am disappointed that Nigeria has found Uwazurike's Bim as a willing tool against Biafra.

I have nothing against Chukwu but it is important to disclose to him the truth. As the stooge-leader of BIM, the deeds or plans of Uwazurike are still being carried out or implemented through him. There is need for him to establish full control as a leader of BIM and come under the umbrella of Biafra restoration course. Uwazurike will forever remain a mole because he has sold his conscience to Nigerian government. IPOB is not a movement or group; IPOB is the Biafra we fight for; BIM is welcomed in IPOB to fight for Biafra restoration. IPOB is a security checking platform,it is important to remind Chukwu that every freedom fighting outfit in Biafra is united under a central command. Radio Biafra controls and commands all and individual leaders can join the league and issue their commands through Radio Biafra. Zionists, MASSOB etc did not join IPOB; they are independently working but obliged to Radio Biafra. Uwazurike is enemy of Biafra and it is high time Chukwu stopped ranting from the comfort of his lodge without doing anything or contributing anything to Biafra restoration. IPOB is where every hand is joined to actualize Biafra.

Finally, Chukwu must know that Biafra restoration is not a business we intend to stay on for too long. We are as serious as never before; let me sound to him once more that it is "Biafra or Death". No amount of parley with media or lies of big followers or deceit of international support will restore Biafra. No amount of looking for relevance or struggling for who will come to you so normal business can resume, if you truly want Biafra; you have to get to work; you have to come straight and promote Indigenous People Of Biafra you claim to be fighting for.

ASSASSINATION PLOT ON NNAMDI KANU- NIGERIA PLAYING WITH FIRE!

ASSASSINATION PLOT ON NNAMDI KANU- NIGERIA PLAYING WITH FIRE!

By Paul Ihechi Alagba
For Family Writers


No other person captures it better than Princess Kanu when she told FAMILY WRITERS in an interview that Nigerian Idiamin and African Hitler, Muhammadu Buhari has murdered justice. Not only is Buhari and cohorts murderers justice, they are burying justice alive.  Nigeria is now a laughing stock to the international community, in fact if you are a Nigerian lawyer and you go outside the shores of Nigeria to claim “bragging right” of being a Nigerian Lawyer, don't be surprised if the person nearest to you spits on your face. If I were Lawyer in Nigeria, by now I could have started buying and selling because you can never see a Lawyer where law does not exist.


Nnamdi Kanu's trial is a typical example of how justice is being manipulated in the zoo called Nigeria. This is why a judge will give ruling in a court and afterwards counter the same ruling in the same court without an appeal- WHAT A SACRILEGE! If assassination of justice is no longer enough for Buhari and his fellow vampires, they, having seen that they are digging a bottomless pit for themselves in Nnamdi Kanu's trial have now resorted to drawing road map on how to eliminate God's own messenger and the leader of over 70million Biafrans-(Prince Nnamdi Kanu) as uncovered by a highly reliable Biafra intelligence caucus.

A Biafran adage says-"when death wants to pay dog a visit, it forbids it from perceiving even the smell of shit." It is now certain to Biafrans and the whole world that Nigeria doesn’t want to apply common sense in dealing with the Biafra issue. If Buhari and all the South Eastern Governors and politicians thinks that the elimination of Nnamdi Kanu would quench Biafra restoration, they better wake up from their sleep now that it is not yet too late because Nnamdi Kanu is a ticking time bomb of Biafrans- touch him and Nigeria will experience total destruction. Biafrans are calling on world leaders and lovers of freedom and justice to borrow Nigeria common sense and prevail on them to Release Nnamdi Kanu to us because any scratch on Prince Nnamdi Kanu will trigger something worse than earthquake and tsunami in Nigeria.

Biafrans are aware of all the secret meeting going on in Abuja between Buhari and his fellow blood suckers to attack Nnamdi Kanu's prison van on his way to court and kill him in the process but let this always resonate in their ears--"ANY ATTACK ON NNAMDI KANU IS AN ATTACK ON OVER 70MILLION BIAFRANS". Nigeria should use her tongue to count her teeth and stop playing with fire.

DID YINUSA DAHIRU REALLY COMMITTED ANY CRIME BEFORE BUHARI

DID YINUSA DAHIRU REALLY COMMITTED ANY CRIME BEFORE BUHARI

By Ifeanyi Chijioke
For Family Writers

I have not made any mistake when I made the context look like is Buhari that determines who committed a crime or not. What we are presently witnessing in this contraption called Nigerian is really strange. If Western Sahara and Palestine can be rightly and lawfully agitating for freedom, If self-determination can be revered and aided by Buhari in both countries while in Nigeria; he murder and incarcerate self-determination campaigners. This is a show of an emperor; what is good for the goose cannot be good for the ganda. He is abusing power and the Nigerian courts have really failed to tame this wild horse. They have found reason to do his bargain for their favour but have spared not posterity and justice.

Fulani herdsmen can kill millions and he would only look away but when militants or thugs kill one; he would deploy battalions to fight perpetrators. Nnamdi Kanu will be denied bail for lawfully doing what Buhari doesn't like but Yinusa will be given bail because he unlawfully did what Buhari loves. The worst development is the wife of Buhari has warned that if you criticize her; you will be locked up without water or food. Buhari married Aisha Buhari; the present first lady at her 9 years old. This marriage took place when Buhari was 45 years old. If Buhari married 9 years old child and Yinusa married Ese at 14 years; then it is certainly unfair criminalizing Yinusa. I got information that three man defense team stood for Yinusa; where he got such money to buy such lawyers means the power that be backed his deed.

To Buhari; Yinusa has committed no crime and should not suffer anything. Had Aisha Buhari reached 18 years before marriage, I can't imagine her marrying a 45 years old father. In other words; Aisha was kidnapped and forcefully put in a family way, you might call it official kidnapping but the Nigerian first lady saw hell in her tender age. Same horror Ese faced was same horror Aisha faced until she got accustomed to it. Don't be surprised as neither the President nor the First lady condemned this abduction and forceful marriage, the issue of conversion has won Yinusa praise by Buhari.

Pedophilia is not a crime in Nigeria as it is an Islamic culture and as an Islamic country, it becomes illegal to detain or punish Yinusa. My concern is why they have chosen to make Christian girls the subject of pedophilia. Did Allah said it must be Christian girls? Biafran children must not be at the mercy of religious and cultural violence and by means of demanding Biafra is asking for total end to infringements and violations of human right.