Reasons for New Year Day Benue massacre – Defence Minister

THE Minister of Defence, Mansur Muhammad Dan-Ali, said yesterday that the recent massacre of innocent people by suspected Fulani herdsmen in parts of the country, especially Benue,was a result of the promulgation of anti-open grazing laws and blockade of grazing route

He also said the Federal Government has directed security agencies to tackle the propagation of hate speech, especially through social media, adding that government has also agreed to pay $494 million for the purchase of Super Tucoma aircraft from the United States, with the deadline for payment set for February 20. Dan-Ali, who fielded questions from State House correspondents after the quarterly National Security Council meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, said: “Yes, we did discuss solutions to the clashes. First, I talked about this commission on proliferation of arms into the country. You see, whatever crisis that happens at any time, there are remote and immediate causes. “Look at this issue (killings in Benue and Taraba). What is the remote causes of this farmers’ crisis? Since the nation’s Independence, we know there used to be a route which the cattle rearers take because they are all over the nation. You go to Bayelsa, Ogun, you will see them. If those routes are blocked, what do you expect will happen? Herdsmen are also Nigerians “These people are Nigerians. It is just like one going to block shoreline, does that make sense to you? These are the remote causes of the crisis. But the immediate cause is the grazing law. “These people are Nigerians and we must learn to live together with each other. Communities and other people must learn how to accept foreigners within their enclave. Finish!”