We’ve evidence of politicians’ involvement in killings – Presidency

The Presidency on Sunday said it was in
possession of evidence to prove that some politicians were behind the
killings allegedly being carried out by herdsmen in parts of the
country.

It said the unnamed politicians were using criminals to perpetuate the killings.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said this in a statement in Abuja.

Shehu however said climate change, especially the drying up of the Chad Basin, had also been compounding the problem.

He said the climate change, which he
described as an issue of global significance, had led to more pressure
on the population in the North.

The presidential spokesman however
assured stakeholders that the government was determined to continue to
work hard towards a long-term solution to the problem which he described
as historical.

Shehu also appealed to Nigerians and
members of the international community to desist from spreading false
information and inflammatory statements concerning the issue.

He said the Federal Government, with the
state governments, security agencies and international community should
collaborate with a view to resolving the problem.

The statement read, “The Presidency is
appealing to all its citizens as well as members of the international
community to refrain from spreading false stories and inflammatory
statements concerning the recent herders-farmers’ clashes.

“The Nigerian government is working
closely with state governments and the security services – as well as
international partners – in order to resolve this ongoing issue.

 “The clashes between herders and farmers are historical. The causes of these confrontations are varied and complex.

“Climate change, specifically the drying
up of the Chad Basin, has led to more pressure on the population in the
North of Nigeria, which further compounded the problem.

“As President Buhari indicated lately,
there is evidence of involvement of some politicians using criminals to
perpetuate the killings.

“Climate change is an issue of global
significance and the Nigerian government is determined to continue
working closely with its neighbours in order to ensure that a long-term
solution can be implemented.

“The Federal Government makes no
distinction amongst the population and works tirelessly to protect all
Nigerian people. We are strongest as a nation when we are united and it
is through unity that we will overcome this challenge.”

Place Your MidPost Ads Code (PC) Here