The National Association of Seadogs, NAS has come out to accuse the Federal Government of pampering cattle herders in the country.

NANS recently revealed this via a statement issued by the NAS Capoon, Abiola Owoaje at the weekend.

According to him, massaging the ego of the cattle herders will only be emboldening the criminal elements among them to keep unleashing violence on innocent citizens.

He added that the recent conflict in Ondo and Ogun States, the ethnic vitriol and rhetoric, the killings and destruction of property, the clashes and loss of lives in Imo State are mere symptoms of a deeper problem.

His words, “The National Association of Seadogs, Pyrates Confraternity, notes with deep concern the recent escalation of farmers/herders clashes and related insecurity in Oyo and Ondo States together with the killings that occurred due to the clash between security agents and the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) backed Eastern Security Network in Okporo, Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State.”

“The recent conflict in Ondo and Ogun States, the ethnic vitriol and rhetoric, the killings and destruction of property, the clashes and loss of lives in Imo State are mere symptoms of a deeper problem.”

”The sudden rashes of wanton killings in almost every part of Nigeria – between farmers and herdsmen, between IPOB loyalists and law enforcement officers, between citizens of Southern Kaduna and the faceless murderous ‘bandits’ are mere symptoms of a deeper ailment.”

“In the true Nigerian fashion of applying a hasty salve on a septic wound, the political elite has sought to reach a compromise. While we commend Governors and other non-state actors who have stepped in to douse tensions, we feel it an urgent duty to warn that under the surface of calm simmers the cauldron of war.”

“The unfortunate long history of farmer-herder clashes, local-migrant communities have now been further complicated by criminal activities by elements alleged to be itinerant Fulani herdsmen or those closely associated with them, some of whom are non-citizens of Nigeria.”

“The frequency and severity of this recidivist violent criminality points to a failure of political leadership in the country and of our security agencies to address the deeper issues of law and order, and the security of ordinary citizens.”

“Regrettably the reaction of the Presidency to the herders/farmers crises has consistently fallen short of the impartiality, responsibility and empathy that is expected of an administration that serves the whole country, and has fuelled fears of official complicity, tacit encouragement of criminal elements and their public defenders.”

“The failure to interdict these criminal elements, bandits, insurgents, marauding Fulani herdsmen and kidnappers, has significantly polarised the country and turned Nigeria into a theatre of violence while undermining the confidence of average Nigerians in the willingness and ability of the State to protect them.”