Northern Elders Issue Fresh Directive To Herdsmen In Southern Nigeria

The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has stated that information at their disposal reveals that some individuals are plotting to harm herdsmen in the southern part of Nigeria.

Speaking after a meeting with the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNGs), Ango Abdullahi, chairman of the forum, asked herdsmen to leave the region if their safety is no longer guaranteed.

CNG had threatened to evict southerners from the north over the federal government’s suspension of Ruga.

Abdullahi said: “We have heard in a few hours ago that some violence had already started to manifest in some sections of the country against the herdsmen, who for all know that would affect peaceful coexistence in the communities where they have lived for many years.

“Now, certainly, we are worried about their safety, like we are worried about the safety of every Nigerian who decided to live wherever they want to.

“But then, if there is no certainty that their safety is guaranteed by the authorities that are immediately around them or by the authorities that has responsibility for the overall security of all Nigerians wherever they reside, we are certainly worried about their well-being.

“If it is indeed true that their safety is not guaranteed in the places where they are residing, we would rather have them back into areas where their safety is guaranteed, and they should be coming back as much as possible to the north.”