A former Defense Minister, Lt Gen Theophilus Danjuma, will this Wednesday address the British upper legislative chamber, House of Lords, on herdsmen upsurge and the impact of instability in Nigeria. He is expected to narrow his address to how the attacks have been affecting ethnic minorities especially in the North.
The event, which will be hosted by Lord Alton of Liverpool and Baroness Cox of Queenbury, is billed to take place in London at the Committee Corridor, House of Lords by 2pm.
Nigeria has been a theatre of violent clashes between armed herdsmen and farmers resulting in the deaths of no fewer than 500 persons in recent times.
The former Chief of Army Staff will be joined by the Anglican Bishop of Jos, Archbishop Ben Kwashi. Only last week Tuesday, about 95 houses were burnt by herdsmen while eight people including three children were killed.
The victims included a clergy man and his wife, who was killed in her bathroom. The attack was the third this year. In June, over 150 people were killed in Barkin Ladi, Jos local government area.
International observers have put the number of deaths since the crisis began to at least 5000 people including women and children.
Commenting the initiative, President of Middle Belt Indigenous Peoples Congress, Mr Abukar Abuka said: “We see the positive responses of Lt Gen Danjuma as a trait of effective leadership far beyond puerile press statements associated with many opportunistic and self serving groups. He is reaching out on our behalf. He is talking to international communities.
“He is not bogged down by electoral politics but showing concern for the future of his people.
“That is a good leader we cherish.”
Earlier, the former Defense Minister, in the wake of violent killings and government’s silence alleged security agencies’ complicity and asked locals to defend themselves; a call that triggered condemnation from the Federal Government.
Irohinoodua
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