The Arewa Youths Movement has reacted to the statement made by Chief Gani Adams, calling on herdsmen to leave the south-west Nigeria.
In a statement released in Kano on Sunday by the National Publicity Secretary of Arewa Youths Movement(AYM), Mallam Abdulrahman Mohammed, the group condemned the statement, describing it as unguarded and uncouth.
The statement said “Our attention has been drawn to a publication which was prominently published in the front page of Saturday September 28th, 2019 of Telegraph Newspapers, with the headline “36 Dead Cows: ‘Leave Yorubaland Now’ – Gani Adams Tells Herders”. This happened as a result of recent tragedy in Ijare Community area of Ifedore Local Government of Ondo State where 36 cows of our people Killed by lightning, which is nothing but the wish and the will of Almighty Allah. The most compassionate, the most merciful, and the sustainer of the world”.
A part of the statement by Chief Gani reads “They (Herders) should move out of the South-West immediately because they don’t have anywhere to stay in the zone. The South-West will not be convenient for them”. “Warning that the sad occurrence is just a tip of the iceberg and a caution to herdsmen and other livestock shepherds”, the AYM called on the attention of president Buhari and the Inspector General of police to the statement of chief Gani.
“We, therefore, call on the President of Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Mohammadu Buhari, Inspector General of Police, Mr. Adamu Mohammed to please take note of these frequent threats from Chief Gani Adams to Hearders/Cattle Breeders who are genuinely transacting their lawful businesses in the South Western part of Nigeria. We urge The Inspector General of Police not to take this issue with soft hands”.
Abdurrahman stated further, “this is one of the reasons why we are becoming more panicky and apprehensive by the South West security arrangements being put together by the South West Governors and The Inspector General of Police, in collaboration with the Oodua People’s Congress.
“This should be critically looked into as Hausa/Fulani who are legitimate cattle rearers/breeders will be the first target of Oodua People’s Congress and Chief Gani Adams. His outburst has clearly shown what he will go extra miles to ask his men to go after our people.
“This is a very good advantage for him to carry out his long time disastrous plan”.
“The Director General of Directorate of State Security Services (DSS) should as well take note of this threat because this can destabilize the peaceful coexistence of Nigeria and also heat up the polity”.
“We call on South West Governors, traditional rulers and other stakeholders in Yoruba land to also put Chief Gani Adams into check.
“We’ll not fold our hands while our people who reside in Yoruba land are being Killed and maimed by Chief Gani Adams and his members.
“It is very hazardous, perilous and dangerous to handover the security of lives and properties in the hands of a “war monger” and tribalistic person of his type”.
“Therefore, The Yorubas are scattered all over the Northern parts of Nigeria, no one is threatening them.
“If Chief Gani Adams thinks he can see still have an occasion which can bring him to the North, such as Abuja, Sokoto, Kano, Kaduna, Niger, Katsina etc.
“He should guide his utterances and put himself into check.
“If he continues threatening our people who are legitimately transacting their businesses in Yorubaland, we’ll have no options than to drawn a battle line with him, even in South West because Nigeria is for all us, he maintained”.
“In the same vein, we appeal to our people who reside in the South West and other geopolitical zones in Nigeria to be law abiding citizens and not to get themselves involve in any incriminating and nefarious activities that can bring about disharmony and unrest. They should maintain law and order in their dealings”, Abdurrahman said.
