By Joseph Edegbo
The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) and other groups within the Middle Belt region have described the establishment of a uniformed security outfit by Fulani socio-cultural group, Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, as fraught with mischief and an invitation to anarchy.
Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore announced on Wednesday the formation of a national security outfit in Abuja which it claimed would assist security agencies in curbing crimes such as cattle rustling, kidnapping and banditry in the country.
The association also asked the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to take pro-active measures to protect Fulani pastoralists across the country from ethnic militias and state- ponsored vigilantes.
Speaking with Saturday Tribune on the establishment of the the outfit, the National President of the Middle Belt Forum, Dr. Bitrus Pogu, said it was unfortunate that a group like Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore could come up with such a security idea when it was being classified as an aggressor.
Dr Pogu, who said the move was an invitation to anarchy, disclosed that it was a misnomer for such a group to form a vigilance group in areas it had no control over or outside its jurisdiction, adding that the people of the Middle Belt would equally come up with their own fashion of security group to protect themselves.
He said: “The Middle Belt will come up with its own; it is an open thing now; each group should come up with its own vigilante. We will also create our own, and when they attack, we will know what to do.
It is a case of what is good for the goose is also good for the gander. We are going to come up with our own, so we don’t have to waste time anymore.
“It is clear now that Nigeria has denied its citizens the opportunity to use provisions of the constitution to allow people to defend themselves, and the government is not doing anything in this regard. Miyetti Allah, which has been the aggressor, is again creating a vigilante, legalising what they have been doing covertly. If the government wants to solve the problems, let’s have state police to stop all this nonsense.”
Dr. Pogu accused the government of failing in its responsibility to protect the citizens, adding that the government’s posture had further emboldened criminals to intensify their nefarious activities against law-abiding citizens.
“The government has been unable to perform the statutory responsibilities of protection of lives and property. The military, instead of going after the enemies, they stay away for the enemies to attack. What Miyetti Allah has done is an invitation for us to establish our own; the Middle Belt Forum (MBF), Afenifere, Ohanaeze, and others will establish their own as well.
“The laws are not being obeyed in this country; the primary function of the government is security and welfare; has the government done that? So if the government has not performed its responsibility, others will start doing theirs,” the Middle Belt leader said.
Also, the Secretary General of the Plateau Indigenous Development Association (PIDAN), Mr Nanle Gujor, criticised the government for allowing a group like Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore to establish a security group.
“It is mischievous. Can you imagine the people we are having problems with saying they want to provide security for us? The formation of the outfit is questionable. The security agencies should question the motive behind the establishment. This country is being driven towards anarchy. The government should call them to order,” he said