The Nigerian military has detailed its findings regarding the predominant role of foreign herders in violent attacks on local communities and the killings of farmers in Plateau, Benue, and other regions across the nation.
Maj.-Gen. Markus Kangye, the Director of Defence Media Operations, shared these insights during a press briefing on Thursday.
When questioned by journalists about the identities of the armed herders targeting farming communities, Kangye emphasized that while the Hausa language is spoken in various parts of Africa, distinguishing non-Nigerians is relatively straightforward.
He noted, “In certain instances, the way they speak reveals whether they are locals or not. The Hausa language, like any other, has various dialects and intonations.”
He elaborated, stating that the Hausa spoken in Nigeria differs significantly from that spoken in Mali, the Central African Republic, and Ghana.
“When we apprehend these herders and terrorists, their speech patterns and appearance provide clear indicators of their origins. Even their hair can signify that they are not from Nigeria. The only community in Nigeria that shares similar hair to the Shuwa people in the Sahel region is likely the Shuwa Arabs in Borno, yet even they do not match exactly.”
Kangye acknowledged that while many perpetrators terrorizing local populations are indeed foreigners, some Nigerian herders also partake in cattle rearing and occasionally encroach upon farm lands, leading to conflicts with farmers.
“However, it is important to recognize that the majority of the violence and ongoing killings reported in certain areas of the country are primarily committed by individuals who have crossed our porous borders,” he stated.
He urged collective action from the nation, alongside relevant agencies, to ensure that those entering Nigeria are properly documented and accounted for. “There are agencies responsible for this, and we need to collaborate effectively. That is why we emphasize the importance of operating within a joint framework to tackle insecurity,” he added.
Many communities, particularly in Plateau and Benue States, have recently suffered a spate of attacks by armed herders, resulting in numerous fatalities and displacing thousands.
Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue has recently asserted that the attackers are foreign herders exploiting ECOWAS protocols on the free movement of livestock to invade local communities.
