By Ata Ikiddeh

Somebody said to me, “Bandits are fleeing, Terrorists are on the run but why has President Muhammadu Buhari’s government failed to arrest, prosecute and convict bandits, terrorists and killer herdsmen?”

This is the abiding feeling in many circles – that President Muhammadu Buhari has given executive cover to bandits and killer herdsmen because they are members of his ethnic group, the Fulanis – the provocateurs of these heinous crimes.

Well, the unfortunate Owo massacre has blown that fallacy to smithereens. Nigerians have discovered none of the killers of that atrocity were Fulanis. They were all members of the Igbira tribe from Kogi State. See how sincerely wrong we can be sometimes – when we allow ourselves get sucked in by a narrow narrative laced in bias, eventually we lose the ability to be circumspect.

I have heard others say once terrorists are arrested expect a call from the Villa ordering the immediate release and safe passage of the criminals. Well, that’s what I call ignorance dressed up in a mini-skirt.

Are you aware that from 2017 President Buhari’s Government has carried out the mass trial of 6,600 terrorists and convicted 205 killer Sahel urchins; 475 have been freed for lack of evidence. We currently have about 10,000 still in detention awaiting trial.

I hear some of you say BIG LIE!

These are not reports from APC headquarters or the President’s media team, these are reports by AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL, BBC, CNN & REUTERS! Of course some of you are going to start saying the foreign papers are lying, they have been bribed, ‘wouldn’t put that pass some of you – but read the Reports first and see the photographs before rushing to judgment.

But here is what I find most baffling in all of this. Arrests, detentions and convictions of terrorists, herdsmen and bandits have been made by this government but there is a complete and total media blackout. How is that possible, if it’s not been cleverly contrived and concealed from public view. I thought it was only in America information was manipulated, I tell you it is worst in Nigeria.

I wouldn’t say too much on this matter. I am simply going to post the headlines from the foreign and local media platforms. But I know some of you, especially the bare bone knuckle critics will be too lazy to click on the links (but these are the ones that complain the loudest). So here are the headlines with the links – read and click.

(1) Trial of Boko Haram suspects, good progress for Nigeria’s Justice sector – AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
https://guardian.ng/news/trial-of-boko-haram-suspects-good-progress-for-nigerias-justice-sector-ai/amp/

Boko Haram suspects on trial in Nigeria’s Kainji town – BBC
https://www.ecoi.net/en/document/1411340.html

Nigeria convicts 205 Boko Haram suspects – CNN
https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2018/02/20/africa/nigeria-convicts-205-boko-haram-suspects/index.html

Nigeria convicts 205 Boko Haram suspects in mass trials – REUTERS
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-nigeria-security-idUSKCN1G3253

Trial of Boko Haram Suspects to resume soon, Malami – PREMIUM TIMES
https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/507955-trial-of-boko-haram-suspects-to-resume-soon-malami.html

Trials & Convictions By State Governments

Niger court sentences three herdsmen to death by hanging for armed robbery, rape and others – DAILY POST
https://dailypost.ng/2022/07/30/niger-court-sentences-three-herdsmen-to-death-by-hanging-for-armed-robbery-rape-others/?amp=1

Six herdsmen bag life imprisonment for kidnapping in Kwara – PUNCH
https://punchng.com/six-herdsmen-bag-life-imprisonment-for-kidnapping-in-kwara/?amp

50 arms bearing herdsmen arrested in 3 States, NSCDC- VANGUARD
https://www.vanguardngr.com/2021/04/breaking-50-arms-bearing-herdsmen-arrested-in-3-states/amp/

@views exclusive rights: Patriot Ata Ikiddeh, Consultant and Coordinator, The President Buhari Legacy Projects,
The Presidency, September 3, 2022.