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FULANI HERDERS AS ALTERNATIVE GOVERNMENT – By Emmanuel Onwubiko
After watching on global television networks, the iconic funeral rites organised for the late Supreme Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis, at the Vatican, attended by well over 50 respected and functioning World leaders with the willful absence of the Nigerian President, a particular thought flashed through my subconscious and it came in form of a question.
The question goes thus: Does Nigeria have a valid government? This question is unconnected with the ill-advised absence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the largest gathering of World leaders in Rome for the Obsequies for Pope Francis, the man of peace and defender of the poor, but it has to do more with his (Tinubu’s) willful failure to provide legitimate leadership in Nigeria when it matters most. Tinubu left for France and spent well over two weeks exactly when terrorists invaded Plateau and Benue states and killed over 400 natives of those two states in the North, who are 100 percent Christians and indigenous natives. And then we also witness another absence of the Nigerian leader on the World’s stage.
The absence of President Tinubu in Rome reminds us about his failures from dealing a decisive blows on the terrorists who are running amok all over Nigeria just as the Country has eventually become a plaything and a training grounds for all kinds of armed non-state actors wielding deadliest weapons of mass destruction and taking over territories in places like Borno, Plateau and Benue states. This unacceptable violence is exactly why the government is constituted to prevent. If a sovereignty is not insulated from indiscriminate violence and coordinated acts of terrorism, like we do see in Nigeria, then the legitimacy of the government of Nigeria is questionable.
In Borno state, the major fighting force that has allegedly pushed back governmental authority and have occupied two local government councils, if we go by the claim made by Senator Ali Ndume, is the boko haram terrorists. But the occupying forces in Benue and Plateau states are Fulani herders and their hired goons, said to have foreign origins. The fact that armed herders are now dominating areas in these two states tells us one basic fact: that the government is absent in those areas. Tinubu’s National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, admitted that much that the terrorists are dominating what he called ‘Ungoverned spaces’.
So I quickly asked on the Internet what then marks a government aside from other authorities. Why should a government be aware of ungoverned spaces and yet fails to provide leadership and domination of those areas?
The following answer popped up on Google from AI. I very often don’t regard write-ups from artificial intelligence as germane. But looking at the quality of the response provided automatically to my interrogatory by AI, shows a good level of credibility and reliability. For this specific purpose, I will voluntarily adopt the AI version graphically presented below.
Answer:
The key feature that distinguishes government from other forms of authority is that government holds the exclusive legitimate right to use force or coercive power within a defined territory.
• Governments can create and enforce laws.
• They have the authority to collect taxes, regulate behavior, and impose penalties.
• Governments have the legal monopoly over institutions like the police, military, and judiciary.
• Other authorities (such as businesses, religious organizations, or NGOs) can influence or guide behavior, but they do not have the legal power to enforce compliance through coercion unless backed by governmental authority.
This concept is well described by political theorists like Max Weber, who famously defined the state (government) as the entity that claims the monopoly on the legitimate use of physical force within a given territory.
Summary of the AI-position canvassed:
The government is set apart from other authorities by its exclusive and legitimate power to enforce laws, use coercive force, and regulate society through officially recognized means.There is no doubt that these issues canvassed by the AI are apposite.
Then comes the next most logical question. If then the government led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria is absent or unable to dominate with overwhelming force, the geographical spaces of Benue, Plateau and Borno state, as it were, is it correct to say that those armed non-state actors occupying and dominating with massive forces those geographical spaces, have constituted themselves into a government within a government?
Before we can answer this aforementioned question, let us reel out the facts from those two states of Benue and Plateau that we are focusing on in this piece. These facts are official and authoritative.
The latest information from Benue state says as follows: “At least 50 communities spread across 25 council wards in five local government areas in Benue State have been lost to herdsmen.
According to data released by the State Emergency and Management Agency (SEMA), the worst hit is in Gwer West Local Government Area where all the 15 council wards had at one time or other been affected.
The council wards in Gwer West LGA are Sengev, Gbaange/Tongov, Saav, Mbapupuu/Tswarev, Mbabuande Kyaav, Mbapa and Tsambe/Mbesev, Sengev/Yengev, Merkyegh, Nyamshi, Tijime Tyough Ater and Njaha.
SEMA released the data a few days before the renewed attacks in Ukum, Logo, Otukpo and Gwer East LGAs.
In Plateau state, the governor himself made a statement that the killings going on in his state are coordinated genocide. Nothing can be truer than this claim. It is genocide because of the presence of two elements: deliberate elimination/killings of the natives and then supplanting their communities with foreign elements outside of these native lands now under occupation. We can call it “POINT AND KILL AND THEN DOMINATE”. This is the doctrine of the occupiers of these native communities in Plateau and Benue states.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State had said that the sustained attacks in communities in the state should not be described as conflicts between herders and farmers but should be defined in their proper perspective, which, according to him, is a genocide against the Plateau natives.
Governor Mutfwang, however, affirms the State’s commitment to fighting insecurity, saying the Plateau spirit of peace, unity, and hospitality remains unbroken.
While speaking during the Experience Plateau: Art Meets Fashion event held in Abuja, he said that he had considered postponing the event in light of the recent tragedies in the State but resolved instead to use the platform to share the real situation with the international community, stating that the recent brutal attacks on rural communities in the Bokkos Local Government Area of the State were not mere clashes between farmers and herders but a calculated act of genocide perpetrated by murderers and enemies of the State.
His words, “In the last week, Bokkos Local Government Area has come under renewed attack by murderers who are desperate to break our spirit. Many advised that we suspend this function, but we realized that these attackers intend to keep us in perpetual mourning, to force us indoors, and to shackle our collective spirit.
“But I said no, life must go on. Plateau must move forward by the grace of God. The genocide on the Plateau will come to an end. What is happening is not a farmer-herder conflict. Let me be clear: it is genocide, and I urge the international community to take note. We know there are powerful forces behind these atrocities. By the grace of God, we will expose them and bring them to justice. Plateau remains a land of peace and hospitality. Our communities will continue to welcome visitors.
“No one will rewrite that narrative. Some of our people were slaughtered while observing a wake; others were murdered in their sleep. May their blood cry out for justice, and may God grant them eternal rest.”
In a Vanguard report of April 26th, 2025, the respected newspaper revealed that contrary to the claims by the NSA Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, on the severity of the terrorist attacks in Plateau state, about 60 communities have already been captured by armed herders and renamed.
This report of Vanguard as quoted above is the clearest evidence that armed herders have indeed constituted themselves into a government under a government.
We need to say clearly that state governors have no control and commanding powers over any of the armed security forces and indeed, the sole COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE ARMED FORCES OF NIGERIA for another two years is President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The President needs to look himself in the face in the mirror and ask: Have I failed Nigerians? He has the knife and the yam.
So, to him, we will domesticate the blame for the government’s inability to conquer terrorists and dominate the entire territory of Nigeria. The primary duty of the armed forces is to safeguard Nigeria’s territory and keep our nation Nigeria safe from all threats to our national security.
But why is President Tinubu relying on Information from his non-performing service chiefs on the true positions of things in Plateau and Benue states? If the service chiefs, as it were have spectacularly failed to protect these Nigerian natives in Benue and Plateau states, how then are they witnesses of truth? The president should wake up and lead from the front and demonstrate legitimate leadership so as to overwhelm these armed non-state actors who have now become another government within a government.
The situation in Benue and Plateau states is not so easy, but surely very complex. The terrorists of a different shape have invaded Niger State too and are said to be in control of some jurisdictions.
As opposed to the other equally ugly fact that the bandits/terrorists unleashing violence in Benue and Plateau states are mostly Fulani herders, ironically, Mahmuda, the new group of armed non-state actors that have captured a large chunk of Niger State, are allegedly killing Fulani’s. The Niger State governor even declared a dusk to dawn curfew in Niger state fearing the sporadic killings by the new terrorists in town would escalate.
Our Oga President Tinubu, please wake up from slumber and defend Nigerian territory.
This is your most fundamental duty to Nigeria under the binding law of Nigeria.
You were not conscripted to be president of Nigeria.
You came out of your own volition and even told us that this is your time to lead: Emi Lokan.
Why not lead from the front, Mr. President?
Mr. President, please stop relying on surrogates, some of whom have tribal agenda that is not so different from that of Fulani herders now ransacking communities in Benue and Plateau states, for your intelligence on what is going on. Even the man on the streets can tell you that the armed groups killing natives in Benue and Plateau states and seizing their lands are agents of a well-planned and executed genocide. How come the President is not aware of this elementary fact?
EMMANUEL ONWUBIKO is the founder of the HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA and was NATIONAL COMMISSIONER OF THE NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION OF NIGERIA
Liverpool’s forward Alexander Isak has finally addressed the swirling rumors about his headline-making move from Newcastle to Liverpool, hinting at untold stories behind the staggering deal. The striker completed a record £125 million transfer to Anfield on deadline day after a summer filled with speculation and excitement.
After making his long-awaited first appearance of the season for Sweden, Isak shared intriguing insights, stating, “Not everyone has the full picture, but that’s something for another day.” He came off the bench during Sweden’s 2-0 World Cup qualifying loss to Kosovo in Pristina, eager to contribute.
“I can’t control everything that’s said or written, but I’m thrilled to be a Liverpool player,” Isak declared. He replaced Newcastle’s Anthony Elanga with just 18 minutes left in the match, registering three shots—two on target—before receiving a yellow card for a clash with Kosovo’s Fidan Aliti.
“It’s amazing that everything was settled before the camp started, allowing me to focus fully on my football again. It’s been a completely new experience for me, but I’m learning and growing mentally off the pitch as well,” he commented, reflecting on his journey.
Notably, Isak had previously opted out of Newcastle’s pre-season friendlies and missed the start of the season. He also remained an unused substitute in Sweden’s 2-2 qualifying match against Slovenia. Sweden’s manager, Jon Dahl Tomasson, noted that Isak had only completed three training sessions with the team before the match.
Kosovo clinched their first points in Group B with goals from Elvis Rexhbecaj and Vedat Muriqi, while Lindon Emerllahu received a red card in stoppage time for a second yellow. In the current group standings, Switzerland sits at the top, followed by Kosovo in second place and Sweden in third. This transfer saga is far from over, and fans can’t wait to see what unfolds next!
Suspecting an official conspiracy to mask the real cause of the death of a youngster shot by the police who died as a result of the attack few days afterward, the Cross River State Police Command has been told that the plan by it to conduct an autopsy on 22-year-old Moses Mba, who died after being shot by a police officer attached to the residence of Governor Bassey Otu is absolutely unlawful and totally a hogwash.
HURIWA is also miffed that the Governor of Cross River State, Mr. Ben Otu has not sufficiently atoned or demonstrated commensurate remorse over the needless, senseless and reckless execution of a citizen by police operatives protecting the governor’s official complex.
“What exactly is the crime of this citizen, Moses Mba to deserve summary execution without judicial trial? Is it an offence for a citizen to demand to visit the governor whose election into that office is as a result of the exercise of the mandate bestowed on the holder of that office by the voters who as citizens are the owners of the sovereignty of Nigeria? How does a totally unarmed young boy posed any sort of threat to the life of the governor to allow for his immediate execution? Is the police unaware that sovereignty belongs to the people of Nigeria, from which those who are in public offices derive legitimacy to exercise authority? The Cross River State governor should ensure that the killer of this citizen is made to face the full wrath of the law. We say no to these cover up plots by the police.”
The leading civil rights advocacy group HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA) which made this observation, is demanding a totally independent autopsy to be carried out without the direction of the police because if that is not done then it is as good as allowing the police to dictate what happens in a matter in which one of their operatives is obviously guilty of unprovoked and premeditated murder. The Rights group also faulted the Police’s decision to conduct autopsy on the young boy the police killed barely hours after it was alleged that the bereaved family rejected an offer of the paltry sum of N5 million from the police as compensation and final settlement for the wilful murder of their beloved son.
HURIWA recalled that the media reported the Commissioner of Police, Rashid Afegbua, as disclosing that the police has arranged to conduct the autopsy as part of investigations to determine the cause of death and the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
“Yes, shooting was involved, but we need to know what caused the death. Was it the gunshot or something else? We have concluded plans to conduct the autopsy and whatever the outcome will be made public,” Afegbua said.
HURIWA recalled that the victim of the police extrajudicial execution, Moses Mba was reportedly beaten and shot in the leg by security operatives at the governor’s former residence on August 1, after insisting on seeing the governor, claiming he had a message from God for him.
His mother, Mrs Victoria Mba, said he later died on August 9 at the Nigerian Navy Reference Hospital in Calabar from injuries sustained in the incident. She described her son as deeply committed to God’s work since childhood, maintaining that his only intention was to deliver a divine message to the governor.
In a media statement endorsed by the National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA warned against any cover-up in this unfortunate but altogether avoidable murder carried out by the police. “How does the Cross River police command expect any right-thinking person that the plan to conduct an autopsy on the remains of a youngster that the same police intentionally killed would be transparent? We in the organised civil society community in Nigeria are by this media statement, asking the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun to direct that the trigger happy police operative who shot the boy to stop him from seeing the Cross River State governor should be arrested and investigated for murder.
“The family of the victim of this police murder should be allowed together with the civil society organizations, to conduct an independent autopsy with the presence of a police representative, so that the entire process wouldn’t be muddied up by the Cross River State Police Command in its attempt to cover up this dastardly crime of murder committed by the police.
“It is very likely that since the police failed to bribe their way out of being subjected to the due process of the law, the police is now gambling with the prospect of conducting an autopsy whose result is already predetermined just so that the police operative responsible for shooting to death of Moses Mba would be left off the hook in a criminal conspiratorial plots by the police”.
“Anything less than an independent autopsy is non-negotiable and absolutely unconstitutional. The police can’t be the judge and the prosecutor in its own case,” HURIWA conclusively affirmed.
Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko,
National Coordinator,
HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA).
September 8th, 2025.
Civil Rights advocacy Group HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA) has described the simultaneous deadly attacks at the weekend by terrorists of Boko Haram and ISWAP, bandits and kidnappers in Borno, Katsina and Edo State in which more than 131 Nigerians were slaughtered as the intensification of the bloody war being waged relentlessly by the daredevil armed non-state actors in Nigeria.
HURIWA said the recent actions of the military and operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) to confront these terrorists with increasing rates of success are particularly a welcome idea just as the Rights group called on the Chief of Defence Staff General Chris Gwabin Musa and the National Security Adviser to President Tinubu Mallam Nuhu Ribadu to continue to provide statesmanship and leadership so the security forces so the armed forces will in the shortest possible time frame, clinically defeat the terrorists, bandits, insurgents threatening the National security of Nigeria.
HURIWA condemned the fact that over 65, 000 lives of the citizens have been wasted by terrorists, bandits and insurgents around the length and breadth of Nigeria even as the Rights group complained bitterly about the slow speed of dispensation of justice against mass killers and terrorists by the courts of Nigeria.
In a media statement on Sunday, HURIWA through the National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko regretted that terrorists believed to belong to ISWAP/Boko Haram have slaughtered at least 55 people in an attack on a village in northeastern Nigeria’s Borno State, where people had recently returned after years of displacement.
Residents of Darul Jama, located near the border with Cameroon, said the raid occurred on Friday night and fighters believed to be from Boko Haram arrived on motorbikes, shooting indiscriminately and setting homes ablaze.
Accounts of the number of deaths varied. Babagana Ibrahim, a commander of a government-aligned militia, told the news agency AFP that 55 people were killed, including six soldiers.
Besides, HURIWA applauded the residents of Shagari and Bimasa communities in Sokoto State who on Thursday launched counterattacks against bandits, rescuing kidnapped relatives and reportedly killing at least 15 of the attackers.
Sources said that the villagers, armed with locally made weapons, tracked the bandits into the forest after a series of raids on their communities in Shagari and Tureta Local Government Areas.
“In Bimasa, residents killed several bandits, retrieved stolen animals, and even captured one suspect alive. The suspect was later paraded in the village,” a source said.
HURIWA recalled that seven people were reportedly killed as bandits launched an attack on Magajin Wando village in Dandume Local Government Area of Katsina State.
HURIWA gathered that the attack occurred between 11 pm and midnight on Friday.
The Katsina State Government confirmed the incident on Saturday in a statement by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasir Mu’azu.
According to the statement by the Katsina Home Affairs Ministry, many people would have been killed but for the intervention of security operatives who confronted the bandits.
The Rights group applauded the timely intervention of the security agents, which according to HURIWA demonstrated a fresh perspective in terms of how the top leadership of the security services has tinkered with the operational strategies to hasten timeline for counter action or response times.
The Rights group encouraged the armed forces and police, including the Department of State Services, to ensure that proactive measures are more often deployed to beat the terrorists before they attack the citizens.
On the deadly massacre of security operatives in Edo State, HURIWA condemned these killings and lamented how non-state actors are allowed to kill eight security officials and then went ahead to kidnap Chinese expatriate workers.
HURIWA said the killings of these operatives of the Nigeria Civil Defence Corps shows that there is the ever increasing need for collaboration amongst the different armed security services in the country in such a way that whenever any of the segments of the armed forces comes under attack by terrorists, the sister agencies could be quickly mobilised within record time to support the security agents under attack by non-state armed groups.
“The pride of any nation is continuously promoted when it becomes a regular feature of the armed forces that they always conquer and vanquish terrorists who attempt to torpedo the security agents. The armed security forces ought to dominate the war environment at all times”, HURIWA affirmed.
The Rights group has therefore asked the National Security Adviser to ensure that the deadly incident that happened on Friday, when a group of suspected armed kidnappers attacked a convoy of the paramilitary Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and Chinese nationals working for local BUA Cement, should never happen again.
HURIWA recalled that the NSCDC spokesperson, Afolabi Babawale said four Chinese workers who were kidnapped were rescued, but one was missing. Eight operatives from the agency were killed and four were seriously injured, he added.
HURIWA conclusively asserted that there is encouraging signs that the armed forces of Nigeria and the Department of State Services are more frequently working in unison just as the Rights group stated that it is important that the terrorists are overwhelmed and decisively defeated by the armed forces of Nigeria even as HURIWA has called for citizens support for the war on terror to be won as soon as possible given that the war on terror has gone on for over a decade.
Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko,
National Coordinator,
HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA).
SEPTEMBER 7th 2025.
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