More trouble for Fulani herdsmen as Niger state issues 21-day ultimatum for them to surrender all illegal firearms or face serious consequences

macfranc007 November 09, 2017 Nigeria News today & Breaking news ▷ Read Nigerian newspapers 24/7 Buchi Obichie

- The Niger state government has issued a 21-day ultimatum to farmers and herdsmen in the state to surrender all their illegal firearms

- Ardo Babayo, the director-general of nomadic affairs, stated that no reasonable government would fold its arms and watch people take the laws into their hands because of undue access to illegal arms

- The herdsmen pledged their support for the directive, even as Babayo disclosed that anyone who disobeys the directive would face the wrath of the law

A 21-day ultimatum has been issued by the Niger state government to herdsmen and farmers in the state, ordering them to surrender all illegal firearms in their possession, The Cable reports.

The order was given by the state’s director-general of nomadic affairs, Ardo Babayo, during a meeting between both groups in Paiko, Paikoro local government area of the state, on Wednesday, November 8.

NAIJ.com gathers that Babayo stated that those who disobey the order and refuse to give up their arms within the stipulated timeframe, would face the wrath of the law.

He stated that various communities had been wrecked by the altercations between both factions.

In his words: “There is need to surrender illegal firearms because of the frequent destruction of lives and property emanating from such weapons.

“No reasonable government will fold its arms and watch people take the laws into their hands because of undue access to illegal arms.”

In his response, the Fulani community leader in Paiko, Hassan Wambai, thanked the state government for stepping in to restore peace between herdsmen and farmers, and pledged unwavering support for the government’s directive.

PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigeria’s #1 news app

In a related development, NAIJ.com previously reported that the Benue state government spoke about the importance of enforcing the newly enacted anti-open grazing law.

An aide to the state governor, Tahav Argezua, highlighted the various deadly clashes recorded between herdsmen and farmers in the state, and stated that the law would bring about lasting peace between both groups.

Southern Kaduna killings, Part 2 - on NAIJ.com TV: