Plateau Killings: Afenifere Calls For Special Prayers In All Mosques, Churches

By Niyi Olutunde, Akure

Following the killings of over 200 innocent people by some suspected fulani herdsmen in Plateau State attack, the Pan-Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere, has called for a special prayers on Friday 29th June and Sunday 1st July in all Mosques and Churches for God to have mercy on Nigeria and for the souls of all those killed during the attack.

The prayers, according to Afenifere is very important for God to see Nigerians through the last few months of President Muhammadu Buhari led administration.

This was contained in a communique issued and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Yinka Odumakin at the end of their meeting held at Chief. Reuben Fasoranti residence in Akure, Ondo State on Tuesday.

Afenifere said, politically, Nigerians must now gird their loins and see the democratic uprooting of Buhari administration as a task that must be done in 2019 Presidential election so as to save the country from utter destruction.

The statement reads, “These wanton killings and official irresponsibility portrays Nigeria as a barbaric entity and we Yoruba People are pained living in the same space with the bestial elements who kill innocent people in cruel manner. The images of little children killed mercilessly with open skulls make anyone with human blood flowing in his or her veins to shrink.

“We are further distressed that the response of President Muhammadu Buhari to the murder of hundreds of our citizens did not attract a word of sympathy or regret.

“It is very infuriating that the President’s response and that of Miyetti Allah appeared to have been authored from the same laptop. The Chairman of North Central zone of Miyetti Allah, Danladi Ciroma said the attacks were a retaliation for the loss of three hundred cows. Said he “These attacks are retaliatory. Those who carried out the attacks must be on revenge mission. Fulani herdsmen have lost over 300 cows in the last few weeks. Since these cows were not found, no one should expect peace in the areas.” President Buhari who is also the Grand Patron of Miyetti Allah who described the Fulani herdsmen terror as “herdsmen/farmers” clashes “(a case of two fighting but dead bodies only on one side) also repeated the missing cows and even added another charge Miyetti Allah did not remember “According to information available to the Presidency about one hundred cattle had been rustled by a community in Plateau State, and some herdsmen were killed in the process. The state governor, Simon Lalong had invited the aggrieved groups and pleaded against further action. Less than forty eight hours later violence broke out (an euphemism for the word “retaliation” used by Miyetti Allah Chief.

“The President used the word “thugs” thrice to describe protesting residents while admitting that human life was becoming “increasingly cheap” under his watch without saying what he is doing to make it worthy or bring the herdsmen who have admitted killing people to book. He also repeated the blame game of “desperate people” causing instability and chaos” in furtherance of the vain attempt by the administration to divert attention from Fulani herdsmen responsible for the serial murders.

“Three months ago, we did say that the President is afflicted by conflict of interests as Grand Patron of Miyetti Allah and the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is the affliction that has seen him now functioning as a Miyetti Allah godfather at a time he should be presidential. We asked him and we are calling on him to make a choice between the two. It is pointless at this stage making any demand on this incorrigible administration.

“There is no land where the blood of the innocent is being shed daily like Nigeria that can make progress in any area of human endeavor. Enough is Enough!”.