OPEN LETTER TO THE UN, US, UK: ON IMPENDING GENOCIDE IN NIGERIA
January, 2021
Dear Secretary General; The United Nations, The Government of the United States, The Government of the United Kingdom, The Global Community,
While the whole world has been pre-occupied with the existential threats to humanity posed by the global pandemic, momentous developments have been taking place in Nigeria which we feel compelled to bring to the attention of the United Nations.
At the end of March 2020, General Mohammadu Buhari, President of Nigeria declared a national lockdown, barring Nigerians from coming out of their homes and declaring “no-movement” for cars except those on essential duties and no inter-state travels.
DANGOTE IS COMPLICIT
But under the cover of the COVID 19 lock-down, thousands of armed men between the ages of 18 and 35 years were being systematically transported across the length of Nigeria, over 1,000 kilometers from Northern Nigeria to occupy South East Nigeria, including other Southern parts of Nigeria
They came hidden amidst bags of cement, inside oil tankers. They also came mixed with sack and sacks of beans, tomatoes and onions, while others simply boarded commercial vehicles and long distance trucks belonging to Dangote industries. The federal government’s claim of moving food from Northern Nigeria to the South of Nigeria turned out a cover for those who were moving arms and armed men into the South Eastern hinterland. On interception, it was gathered that the men are Fulani militias coming from all over Africa. It is understood that they are encouraged to come to Nigeria where the Life Patron of the Fulani World-wide Association of Cattle breeders, “MIYETTI ALAH” is the President of the Nigeria.
Fulanis have historically harboured the dream of occupying one country all on their own in the African continent. Since General Buhari’s accent as President of Nigeria in 2015, they have seen Nigeria as the easiest place to take over, and the time of Buhari’s presidency as the best moment to strike. In the past five years, there has been a massive influx of Fulanis, many of whom do not speak English, applying and obtaining Nigerian passports. Others have spread all over the South especially South East Nigeria, using their cattle to eat up farm products, killing the farmers, raping their wives and daughters, burning down villages. In Nsukka, Enugu State, they wiped out a whole village. In Anambra state, the people of Amansea community in Awka South local Government Area awoke one day to see the bodies of 30 men of their village floating on EZU River, there have been various other attacks in every part of Igboland such as, Imo State, Abia State, Ebonyi State and in other native Igboland across the River Niger such as Ibuzo, Okpanam and Asaba areas of Delta State Nigeria.
None of the perpetrators of these crimes have been arrested or questioned, these crimes against humanity have gone without check, condemnation or a word of caution from the government of Buhari, he seems to relish each and every attack on the Igbos.
Buhari himself had in 2017, under the guise of a military operation code named Operation Python Dance mauled to death hundreds of unarmed Igbo youths whose only crime was to exercise their natural and inalienable rights to Self Determination, which rights are recognized and guaranteed in the United Nations Charter on Human Rights. Many of the youths that were arrested during this atrocious and barbaric military operation are still in detention at undisclosed locations, some have died in detention and their remains buried in unmarked mass grave, while some have been permanently damaged and maimed.
To heighten these bizarre occurrences, helicopters were sighted on several occasions at night, dropping supplies for unknown persons in the thick forests of South Eastern (Igbo) heartland.
In 2019, the Fulani dominated federal government of Nigeria attempted to advance the agenda of occupation by creating colonies for Fulani people in every state of the federation. The scheme called the “Ruga Settlement” scheme was discovered and a massive outcry and opposition ensued forcing government to suspend it temporarily. Now, the proponents have adopted a more brazen, violent tactic of armed conquest and land occupation.
That was why while other Nigerians took cover to survive COVID 19, the Fulani were busy making more frantic efforts to conquer and occupy South Eastern Nigeria. What is bewildering is that the five states of South East Nigeria put together are only 29,525 square kilometers. This is less that the size of Kogi state, one of the smallest states in Northern Nigeria (29,833) square kilometers. Niger State of Nigeria alone, which is in the Northern part of Nigeria is bigger in land mass than the South East and South South of Nigeria put together. Why are they settled there?
Based on this, the idea is taking hold that their mission is not driven by a financial motive but must be propelled by a more compelling force.
We believe that at the heart of this move is their long mission to force a change of religion and lifestyle on the people of Eastern Nigeria (IGBOs).
What has made the plan all the easier to execute is the complete control of the Nigerian government, Armed Forces and Police by people of Fulani decent and their northern accomplices. One of the first actions taken by President Buhari on ascent to the Presidency of Nigeria was to ensure the total control of the security architecture of the country by Fulanis and their Northern allies. Today, the Chief of Air Staff, the Chief of Army Staff, the Director General of State Security Services, the National Security Adviser, the Director General of National Intelligence Agency “NIA”, the Head of Customs and the Inspector General of Police are all Northerners and Fulanis. Only the Chief of Naval Staff is from Southern Nigeria. At the same time, all South Easterners on the top three tiers of the Arms Forces and security were retired. As a result, the security of the country is planned and executed by one ethnic group that constitutes less than 2% of the population, to the exclusion of people of Southern Nigeria.
The lady Nigerian representative at the United Nations is also a Fulani, she has been sent there on purpose; which is to block any attempt to reach the United Nations, hence this open letter.
This letter is to brief you and alert the United Nations, the United States of America, the United Kingdom and indeed the global community on what appears to be an impending, well coordinated plan to attack, cleanse Eastern Nigeria of the Igbo stock, occupy and foist the Moslem religion on the area, taking advantage of the confusion and weaknesses introduced by the Covid 19 pandemic.
We assure you that we in the South East of Nigeria and the entire Igboland will not allow this to happen.
We therefore urge you to kindly advise the federal government of Nigeria not to further support or lend protection to this scheme which will without any doubt stir up big problems for the country. The President should be advised to identify and immediately take stringent action against members of his government involved in this obsession for conquest and land occupation in South Eastern, ans the entire South of Nigeria.
We conclude by requesting the United Nations, the United States Government, the United Kingdom and the International Community to do all in their powers to halt this barbaric endeavor which has gone on under the watch of Buhari and the federal government officials for some time now.
While looking forward to your kind prompt intervention, we extend the highest respects of the people of Eastern Nigeria to you and your organization, and your countries.
Most Respectfully,
Justin Okeke Esq.
Prof. Justin Akujieze
Ekwe Nche (USA)
THE ORDEALS OF A RICE FARMER
Sidney Dooyum Ahura NOVEMBER, 18, 2020.
I got a parcel of land at the Lower Benue River Basin Layout, somewhere after Wadata here in Makurdi where l cultivated six hectares of rice.While we were preparing the land until planting, Fulani herdsmen and their cow roamed the area freely. But the locals assured me that as soon as planting begins, the herdsmen will retreat to the river side until after harvest.
Truly, after I planted, I never set eyes on them again until news started filtering on Monday that the herdsmen have returned and are aggressively eating up rice farms yet to be cultivated. On the same monday, I learnt men of the Benue State Life Stock Guard came to the area and arrested hundreds of cows that were grazing the area. But it seems that only infuriated them.
I got to my farm yesterday to begin harvesting and noticed a small part of my farm had been eaten up. Well, I thanked God that it wasn't much. Harvesting began immediately.
Today I got there in the morning to see that over a hectare of my farm was eaten up by cows yesterday evening. And just now, I got another call that the herdsmen have returned to graze in my farm.
If this can be happening here in the State capital then what can we say about the gains of the anti-open grazing law?
These herdsmen are boldly wrecking havoc here in the State capital. Is it that they don't know we have a law against open grazing or could it be that they believe the law has little or no force?
People are being encouraged to go into farming by the government, but with such happenings as this, many who have delved into it will sooner or later retreat.
God save Benue State from these evil elements who consider the welfare of their cattle of greater importance than the welfare of men.
THE SPONSORSHIP OF GENOCIDE
Dr. Ruh'allah, Aug. 8 2020
Billions of Naira are generated on weekly basis from cattle business in Nigeria as huge number of cows are slaughtered all over the country on daily basis yet, no form of taxes are returned to the government from this venture that have caused the highest threats to security and agricultural growth and national development of this country rather the wicked souls who call themselves herdsmen out of which majority are government stakeholders use the money made from this genocidal venture to sponsor mass killings and evacuation of millions of Nigerians from their home lands in order to secure grazing lands.
Despite the inhuman killings by these venomous species of humans called herdsmen to promote their cattle business, the love and addiction for cow meat by the masses keep increasing on daily basis. Most Christians and Muslims and other ethnic groups whose relatives and associates have been killed in an attempt to secure the life of a cow and as such should consider cow meat as a taboo and abomination are the first to confess the sweetness of cow meat. The obligate cannibalism practiced by Nigerians over time by eating cow meat that have the stains of their brothers and sisters in Christ and Islam, language and tribe have enriched these blood sucking demons to purchase arms, attack people who are occupying and cultivating the major grasslands where grazing is most suitable as well as their grazing routes.
It may sound loquacious and stupid, but if the Nigerian population in solidarity quit consumption of cow meat and patronise other forms of protein for 10 years, cattle herders would either realize that the life of their customers is not just important but must be respected.. You don't expect the government to fight herdsmen because they are the real owner of the flocks. If you are still eating cow meat,, you are not just worst than herdsmen but a cannibal... Stop sponsoring herdsmen. YOUR LIFE IS IMPORTANT THAN THAT OF COW.
Killed On their own Farm
Usman Zakari Ibrahim, June, 2020
Today 6/7/2020 right on their farms in Yargamji village, Batsari, Katsina! Just like that!
The lives of fifteen able bodied family men wasted! Their children orphened! Their wives widowed! Their community broken!
The wrath of the law will be asleep!They are peasant farmers! They are worthless to the country! They are insignificant to the north! They would attract no outrage!
They would get little or no sympathy! We would pretend it never happened. Likewise those responsible for the protection of lives and properties would pretend this never happened. Or worst, they would say the victims provoked the attackers! Life continues.
No sympathy. No outrage. No assurance. Nothing. And the cycle is repeatedly, repeatedly, repeatedly, repeated. No consequences. The criminals go scotfree.
BACK FROM JATO AKA
Simony Asa, June 9, 2020
I stayed in Jato Aka, Turan for two weeks. For the two weeks, seldom would a day passed by without downpour. It rained almost on a daily basis!
Sadly, almost everyday, the people were greeted with the tragic news of their death ones by marauding Fulani herdsmen, those who out of farm lands in Jato Aka where they now live with their families would attempt to go close to or cross the river to farm.
I heard Wantaregh Paul Unongu is from here; I was told the former and present State House of Assembly members cannot go to their real villages because they've been displaced out of their ancestral homes which has now been occupied by the Fulani herdsmen!
Pressed to name some of the villages taken over by the Fulani, the persons I spoke to named the following:
- Tom Ataan Village
- Imande Bebe Shi
- Nyagba village
- Kyór Awen
- Anyiase
- Miande Dura
- Gberdimi
- Samo
- Miande Ukusu
- Madugu
- Adam
- Nyudugh
- Itii
- Mberev
- Mbakudem
- Tyoyoghyogh
- Alabama
- Kyubua
Heading to Jato Aka after Azaibo, there is a military checkpoint and I heard they're also in Gashimbilla. When the indigenes lost a love one, they employ the securities to accompany them to their real villages for burial. I attended one in the course of my stay, I saw the Fulani herdsmen there, the burial was done hurriedly, and everyone turned back to Jato Aka. I was told, if they saw the security, they would withhold their aggression. Besides, even if they saw farmers in large groups, they equally would withhold their aggression but would attack individuals and a small group even without provocation. Besides the Fulani herdsmen occupation and killings' narrative, there is also the sad development of inner city crimes - cultism and armed robbery.
I heard of armed robbery attack along Jato Aka - Ikyogen road, I heard of series of such attacks along Jato Aka to Ugbema Junction. Jato Aka and the people of Turan are under siege! Very disturbing is the theory of 'ikyato' involving the Shitile (understood as an oxymoron) being used to execute the agenda of the Fulani herdsmen in that area. This allegation maybe true, it maybe false but what is indisputable is that there is passive aggression between the Turan/Shitile that the Fulani herdsmen know about. To this conspiracy theory, The Tor Tiv should 'hambe Ifiam' never should any Tiv son or daughter take side with our aggressors and live! The 'Jato Aka' people, you're too comfortable for my liking, what is going on in your locality should trouble you to cry out, those walking to start running, those running, flying! My people, is our course but is much more yours, none anywhere will honestly fight your course much more than you will! Kick, the time is far spent but giving up is not a solution, if you fear, you go die, if you no fear, you go still die, SPEAK OUT NOW! Our elites and the political class would not turn to us with this our culture of clapping when we should be crying!
THE KILLING OF INNOCENT PEOPLE
It is said that activity or movement does
not necessarily translate to progress, and
peculiar problems require peculiar
solutions. There has been a lot of activity
employed to bring a lasting solution to the
continuous attacks on Tiv people by Fulani
herds men, whom have over the years
transformed from peace loving, stick and
sword caring men, to machine gun wielding
terrorists. Who employ both physical and
supernatural means to kill, destroy and
displace those whose villages they have
grazed through for decades.
The reasons for this violence, apart from obvious terrorism and acquisition of grazing land and dominance, range from attacks by Tiv men on cows, which on many occasions destroy farm produce belonging to these Tiv men, provoking them into retaliation.
Others include disagreements over use and ownership of lands, which are allocated to these Fulani men by traditional rulers in those localities. In many cases the allocation of these lands is not in accordance with the wishes of other members of the locality, while in other situations Fulani herds men encroach on lands that are not allocated to them, The approaches that have been used to tackle this tragedy have mostly been, reactionary, cosmetic, short term and some even counterproductive.
Despite all the blood that has been shed and the atrocities committed by this men, Fulani men wielding swords still walk our markets unafraid and graze through our towns and villages as though all is well .
A problem of this magnitude cannot be solved by an uncoordinated or unwholesome approach; this continuous assault must first be recognized for what it is, an insult and assault to and on the entire Tiv race. Thus, for this problem to be put to a final stop, the approach must change from talk, committees, reports and arming of militias, to something more proactive and long lasting. The entire Tiv race, championed by all its leaders, irrespective of affiliations or sentiments must come together with one purpose and an unyielding resolve to ensure the end of this senseless massacre.
A well thought out and permanent plan or solution must be forged and then implemented with ruthless efficiency. Such a plan or solution should involve traditional and political leaders, the legislature, the federal government, the security forces, the Fulani community, civil right organizations, leaders of neighboring states, and all Benue sons and daughters of influence, home and abroad.
Now sadly, while Fulani herds men constantly kill, rape, destroy farms and produce and displace our people from their villages, our leaders carry on with their lavish political life styles as if all is well, these people who are victims of terror have house of assembly members, at the federal and state levels, they have chairmen and councilors, they have a governor, But their plight is worse than that of a people who do not have an identity or representation, the leadership seem to be disconnected with the realities these people face. The fear of being attacked and killed at any time and losing their only source of food and income, their farms, is clear and present. Some of those who run into town are left with no choice but to live in uncompleted buildings around town, many young women become prostitutes to feed themselves and family while boys take to crime. But how can our leaders know this? they seldom visit these places, as soon as they are elected, they become larger than life, they are mostly in Abuja or Jerusalem or Dubai or celebrating birthdays and thanks giving’s at every other date and too busy being too busy.
While their people perish, they indulge in petty political rivalry, power tussle and politics of greed and self-interest; they do not remember the reason why they were even elected, till it is another election season. On another hand, most Tiv youths have lost all sense of belonging and responsibility to their father land and people; they have followed the path of our politicians and shamelessly fight themselves over crumbs that fall from the tables of their masters.
Even more sad is the fact that our people have this – “as long as it does not affect me directly, it is not my business” approach to all problems facing their society and this ignorant ideology has caused lot of setbacks to us as a people. Problems that can only be tackled with unity and collective effort cannot be solved because our people are disunited and not concerned about their fellow man, until one of them is eventually directly affected. When this happens the rest sympathize and move on. The Tiv people of old where know to be united and known to hid the “Ayatutu” cry of their brothers, “one for all and all for one”.
Sadly, the capable and influential Tiv people seem to be more concerned with the selfish interests or spoils that can be gotten from politics than the collective advancement, image and survival of their race, while many others, especially the academia, are not concerned at all.
Traditional structures that ought to be our last defense against bad leadership and external forces have fallen and lost its voice, due to greed, and partisan politics.
Fulani herds men have killed hundreds and displaced thousands of Tiv people, while destroying properties worth billions, they attacked the home of the late Tor Tiv some time ago and till today meetings are continuously being held, committees being formed and funded and reports and statements made, while the Fulani continue to attack, kill, rape and occupy our farmlands, the same lands where our ancestors grew the food that fed us, thesame lands where our ancestors lay buried, possibly wondering what has gone wrong with their children.