Admin l Friday, September 22, 2017
IKEJA, Lagos – Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, has said that armed Fulani herdsmen, who have killed and maimed dozens of Nigerians are not terrorists but a criminal gang.
Garba Shebu who was speaking on recent proscription of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB on Channels Television on Thursday, said by their mode of operation, the federal government is right to classify IPOB a terror organisation.
But that the federal government did not declare herdsmen as terrorists because they are “only criminal gangs” being dealt with lawfully.
“There is a difference between a criminal gang, criminal activity and a terrorist activity; and, I think from the definition we are getting, yes, Fulani herdsmen are a criminal gang and they are being dealt with according to the law of the country.
“But, IPOB, like Boko Haram, has a territory they have carved out for themselves, as a sovereign state of their own. They have shown the willingness to invade neighbouring states. They have raised concerns in neighbouring Kogi and Benue states. They have said they are interested in taking over Bayelsa and Rivers…IPOB is a small group of people running
“That is exactly what Boko Haram has done; with a flag and taxation system. This is not acceptable to the law of this country.”
