The Chairman, Board of Trustee, (BoT), North Central People’s Forum, Lt-Gen. Jeremiah Useni (rtd) has charged farmers to defend themselves and crops following the incessant destruction of crops in Plateau and parts of North-Central by suspected bandits.
He urged farmers to resist such attacks and not allow bandits to run them out of business and town.
Useni spoke during a briefing at his residence in Jos.
He expressed disgust over the appalling security situation in the country.
He noted that government and citizens must intensify efforts and join hands to overcome the pathetic trend of events.
“I am not happy over the killings and destruction of crops in Plateau and some parts of the country.
“Why are we killing ourselves? It is very sad. We are not among the rich states, our people are battling in hunger and we are still killing ourselves.
“You should not allow anybody to attack you, guard yourselves and your farms. You should defend yourselves from anybody who want to attack you,” he said.
Useni noted Nigerians deserve to be protected, and urged people not to wait on anybody to safeguard them.
He said the unity of Nigeria is non-negotiable, adding they fought during the military era to keep the country together.
Useni explained the North-Central People’s Forum has visited former military Heads of States, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida and Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, among others, with a view to finding a lasting solution.
This reaction could be coming against the backdrop of several attacks, killings and destruction of farmland by cutting crops in Plateau and other parts of North-Central.
Gunmen suspected to be Fulani militias invaded Bassa and Riyom local government areas of Plateau State, killing four persons and destroying over 167 hectares of crops belonging to 39 families in the process, recently.
It was gathered the invaders stormed Nche village in Miango district of Bassa Local Government Area on Thursday at about 9.39 pm where they killed three persons and inflicted injuries on many others.
It was further gathered the militias ambushed and shot dead one Amos Danladi in the early hours of Friday at Gwa-Rim in Rim, Riyom Local Government Area after they destroyed farmlands with crops ready for harvest in Jol community under the same council area.
But in a response, the state Chairman of MACBAN, Malam Nura Abdullahi, said there was never a threat from the herders to destroy crops or go against any peace initiative.
He said the allegation was concocted by some people to tarnish the image of herders.