Herdsmen attacks: Sen Alkali’s comments irresponsible, says Nigerians

Senator Dagiri Alkali, who led a delegation of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigerian to a meeting with the Army over the killings by herdsmen in host communities, has come under attack for his comments about the issue.
The Senator said the herdsmen, many of who had been forced out the North East as a result of the Boko Haram insurgency killed in self defence.
Alkali wondered why people were not focusing on the factors that had driven the herdsmen to different parts of the country, asking where Nigerians expected the herdsmen to keep the over 20 million cows in the country.
The comments has led to outrage with many Nigerians on the social media condemning the Senator.
According to them, his comments are irresponsible and capable of inciting more attacks.
“Perhaps the people in other parts of the country that the herdsmen are now tormenting should take similar action like those in the North did, then let’s see where the herdsmen will go .. Futa Jallon?” a reader with the user name Femi Pedro said.
Another reader warned that there would be a breakdown of law and order if people took laws into their hands under the guise of self defence.
“If all of us are killing in the name of self defence, will he be bold to be speaking up like that? Bring the herdsmen to book now. Let the killing stop,” he said.
Lookman wondered how it could be said to be self defence when the people killed were unarmed.
He said, “It is quite unfortunate that we live in a country where human lives are not valued. The people the herdsmen attack are not carrying any weapons. They are being murdered in the farms, in their sleep or in their villages.
“What are the herdsmen defending themselves from? They go about with sophisticated arms. Who supplied them with arms? Are they carrying out an assignment by those who have decided that others who do not belong should be wiped out.
“Let us take a critical look at the places these attacks are being carried out. God, save us from Blood thirsty beings. Give us peace.”
Everydaytruth, who shared Lookman’s view, said, “We produce food, you produce meat which of these products should suffer? Rape is self defence,?

“It is not okay for the herdsmen to destroy farmlands because we all eat meat or to rape our women in self defence. Don’t destroy the lives of others or their means of livelihood because a law granted you rights. Mutual respect please.”

On Facebook, Festus Akhilome described Alkali’s claim as rubbish.

He said, “So because of your business, people should die with property and the means of livelihood others destroyed? Please, feed your people with your meet and feed them well. I would rather hate meat if your survival in business means killing Nigerians!

Marcel Okonkwo also faulted claims that the killings were carried out in self defence.
“What kind of defence when they went to Nimbo and killed innocent souls sleeping and set their houses on fire? What are they defending when they killed, rape and destroy farm land in Awgu?” Okonkwo asked on Facebook.
Emenike Onuoha questioned whether children and elderly people could be attacked and killed in their homes as self defence.
He said, “The little children, women and old men killed, is it self defense? Are the children attacking you?”