Over the months, attacks by Fulani herdsmen on residents in some part of the country has been one of the trending issues which has raised different views from different personalities and citizens of Nigeria.
Recently, the Federal Government and the Minister of Agriculture, Audu Ogbeh had to erase the cattle colonies plan after much rejection from some State Governors, eminent personalities, Groups, and citizens of Nigeria. A cattle colony is where in each state, a designated area will be specially given to the herdsmen so as to rear their animals.
Fulani herdsmen attacking people is no longer new, just as it is now a daily routine which the Federal Government and security agencies is yet to find a lasting solution to tackle this saga.
Recently, (last week) an attack was made on some passengers plying the Lokoja along Okene road, according to an eyewitness who is also a witness of the incident while giving thanks for her rescue.
Sandra Akinsoyinu, a graduate of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State, through her Facebook account made it known that the attack came from the so called herdsmen.
According to what she wrote, she made it known that the attack kicked off with sporadic gun shots, and were surrounded by the Fulani herdsmen; everyone tried to escape.
She wrote, "I journeyed into the den of Fulani herdsmen. Coming from akure to Lokoja, through Okene, on reaching the outskirt of okene, we heard gun shots and everyone tried to escape, only for us to see the Fulani herdsmen in front and behind!" (unedited).
In other to get her to shed more light on the incident which she witnessed, the National Union of Campus Journalists (NUCJ), Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba-Akoko Chapter had an interview with her.
During the interview, Sandra Akinsoyinu, made it known that only the passengers that tried to escape were abducted.
She said, "Only the passengers. We dropped their stuff at the Police station, Okene."
Describing their (the Fulani herdsmen identity), Sandra said, "They dressed like them, spoke in broken English (inaccurate English language), and there were others in the bush with cows who also dressed like the robbers."
According to her, a jeep and a car she was, were attacked just about 2pm on the 27th of February, 2018.
It was on the order of the herdsmen that they had to go, not until phones and other valuables were collected from them.
She made it known that just she, the driver and another passenger were allowed to go; all other passengers were abducted.
"Till now, three people have not been found, one is a Jos corper; another a Zenith bank staff in Okene; and the third man which I don't know his identity", she said.
It is on this note, we call on the Federal government, State governments, Security agencies, and other considered bodies and agencies to find a lasting solution to this frequent attacks by Fulani herdsmen on citizens of this country. Neglecting this will definitely lead the unity in the country into jeopardy.
Once the lives of the people can't be secured, the result will not only be on the residents, but also there will be a devastating impact on the nation's economy.
This report is gathered, compiled, made by the National Union Of Campus Journalists (NUCJ), Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State Chapter
