We’ve failed to provide security for Nigerians, VP Osinbajo Confesses

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo says the federal government
often fails to provide security for Nigerians but the failure is
not deliberate.
Osinbajo said this on Thursday in Abuja while declaring open a
national summit on security organised by the senate, adding
that every case of killing recorded in the country “demeans us
as a people and undermines the authority of the state”.
He also said the assertion that President Muhammadu Buhari
has ignored the killings by herdsmen is “untrue and unfair”.
“I was in Dong village in Adamawa where herdsmen had
attacked the village and killed many but the vicious killing of
Fulani also in Adamawa state is worthy of mention,” Osinbajo
said.
“Let me preface this by saying that every Nigerian is entitled to
adequate security from government for their lives and
livelihood. Government fails in that responsibility often but I
must say never deliberately.
“Every killing demeans us as a people and undermines the
authority of the state. This is why the suggestion sometimes
that because the president is Fulani he has ignored the killings
by herdsmen, that is so untrue and unfair.
“Herdsmen and farmers clashes resulting in deaths have been
with us for at least two decades and I have worked with him
for three years now and I do not know of one issue that has
given him more concern or spent time as this particular issue.”
The vice-president said the government had deployed more
policemen in Benue state to forestall the further breakdown of
law and order.
“The approach of the government has been to deploy mobile
police forces to these areas and also both the army and air
force to Benue,” Osinbajo said.
“The army has within the last few days scaled up the size of
troops and equipment in Agatu, Katsina and Logo local
government areas.
“The army has also deployed troops to Nasarawa state in
order to monitor and block areas using as staging points by
herdsmen to attack. There cannot be too much dialogue on
issues that concern lives and property.”
He said that there is need to confine cattle to ranches as this
would provide quality beef and cattle.
“It is obvious that the movement of cattle especially physically
and on an endless journey on the move must now continue to
take a different shape especially from the economic
perspective we must have other ways,” the vice-president
said.
“We believe that where cattle is sedentary is would improve
the productivity of cattle. The federal government cannot
dictate to states what to do with their land this is so because
the land use act 1978 put lands under the control of
governors.”
In his address, Senate President Bukola Saraki said the
summit should be a platform proffer solutions to the security
challenges.
“Permit me to observe that those who are in this room have
the capacity to bring about a change in this situation, to end
the violence and bring succour. We have the capacity. But, do
we have the political will? I daresay political will is what is
required; and it is my hope that we shall marshal it as a
legitimate instrument against this problem,” Saraki said.
“Indeed, there is no reason why that should not be the case.
This is not a summit to trade blames – in no way is this a
blame game.
“Neither is it convened so that any person or entity can take
credit. We just want solutions. Solutions only. That is all
Nigerians require of