We will not use military force against Fulani herdsmen – FG

The Federal Government has ruled out the use of military might to

subdue the attacking force of rampaging Fulani herdsmen.



Minister of Interior, Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, retd, while featuring

on a Channels Television programme, "Question Times" on Sunday night

said deployment of the military to combat the Fulani herdsmen menace

was not an option because, the situation has not overwhelmed the

police yet.



According to the Minister, "We must protect the country which is the

main function of the police. The Civil Defence are there to complement

them too.



"This is a non-military issue that borders on law and order. It is not

every security issue that you call in the military. It is the

responsibility of the police to maintain peace. I believe that if we

put the police in proper position in terms of discharging its

functions, then there would be no need for military option. The police

are equal to the task. If you have to deploy the army, then you are

going above board. In any case, I do not even have the power to deploy

the military for anything. It is only when the situation gets out of

hand that you invite the military." Recall that Fulani herdsmen have

in recent past attacked several villages across the country, killing

scores of people.