Media aide to President Muhammadu Buhari, Femi Adesina has said the crises between farmers and herdsmen in some parts of the country are not targeted at Christians.
Adesina noted that the incidents are just mere crimes and unlike what many people believe, is not aimed at wiping out Christians.
“Ancestral attachment? You can only have ancestral attachment when you are alive. If you are talking about ancestral attachment, if you are dead, how does the attachment matter?” Adesina was quoted as asking on an AIT programme recently.
“Hundreds have been killed in Zamfara, are they Christians? People have been killed in Birnin Gwari, are they Christians?
“What is happening is criminality, pure and simple, and it must be brought to an end. Government has a big role to play in this but the people themselves have a role to play.”
According to him, “Some people are saying don’t use government money to build ranches. If truly they don’t have lands, that is fine, but remember that Kogi State offered 15,000 hectares of land for cattle colony and in the midst of that offer vicious attacks were unleashed.
“In Plateau State, where we had the recent orgy of killings, the government has offered land for ranches and I tell you that some people are interested in this thing not being resolved.
“The National Economic Council that recommended ranching didn’t just legislate it, there were recommendations.
“So, if your state genuinely does not have land for ranching, it is understandable; not every state will have land for ranches. But where you have land and you can do something, please do for peace.
“What will the land be used for if those who own it are dead at the end of the day?”
