President Muhammadu Buhari says his administration is decisively addressing the age-long conflict between herders and farmers that was being exploited by those seeking to plant the seeds of discord and disunity amongst Nigerians, while warning that perpetrators of murder and general mayhem in the name of defending or protecting herders or farmers will face the full wrath of the law.

The president stated this in his address to the nation as part of activities to mark Nigeria’s 58^th Independence Anniversary in Abuja on Monday.

According to him, “This, being a transhumance issue, we are working with countries in our region that are also facing similar difficulties to complement our common efforts. In this context I must warn that the perpetrators of murder and general mayhem in the name of defending or protecting herders or farmers will face the full wrath of the law.  Meanwhile, we urge all peace loving Nigerians to reject any simplistic portrayal, at home or abroad, of this conflict as either religious or ethnic based.

Buhari also disclosed that the administration will sustain and continue to support the commendable efforts by all including civil society organisations, local and state governments and traditional and religious leaders in finding durable solution to the problem.

On the issue of security, he added that there has been a steady improvement in the security situation in the North East and the government remains committed to ending the crisis to make the North East safe for all.

“Our thoughts and prayers are always with the victims of the Boko Haram’s atrocities and their families. Beyond that, we know that the goals of the Boko Haram terrorists include capturing territories, destroying our democracy and denying our children the right to education. We will not allow them to succeed”.

“I want at this point to pay tribute to the men and women of our armed forces, the Police and other security and law enforcement agencies, who have been working under the most difficult conditions to keep the country safe.  In the process, many have made the supreme sacrifice”.

The President however assured that as Commander -In- Chief his administration these our gallant men and women will continue to empowered by deepening their professionalism and providing all the necessary force multipliers and enablers required for them to prevail on the field. “I am looking into all reported cases of inadequacies in relation to their entitlements, their welfare and those of their families”, he said.

By: Theresa Igata