The massacres by marauding herdsmen and the resort to self-help

Nigeria continues to hover daily on the edges of precipice as one group of insurgents after another continue to challenge its legitimacy and above all its monopoly over the legitimate use of violence within its jurisdiction. If we accept Max Weber’s definition of the state, as political scientists have done, the successful claim to absolute monopoly of the legitimate use of physical force within a given territory is the key feature and distinguishing characteristic of a state. In that case, Nigeria’s claim to statehood is tenuous, except in the juridical sense where the international community continue to afford it legitimacy regardless of its ability to project its powers within its territorial boundary.

Today, it is obvious that aside the Boko Haram insurgency, the most urgent security threat to the country is the emergent wholesale massacres of communities by marauding terrorists masquerading as herdsmen. Although the cases of Fulani herdsmen and farmer’s clashes have been going on for years, the inability of the government to stop it is now emboldening groups to go on wholesale massacres and elimination of whole communities – including helpless women, children, the elderly and infirm – as a way of settling supposed scores. The cases of the Agatu and Enugu killings where about 400 and 50 people were reportedly massacred by suspected Fulani herdsmen in Benue and Enugu states quickly comes to mind.  As widely reported by the media, Fulani cattle rearers in combat gears, armed with AK – 47 rifles invaded several villages and farm settlements in broad daylight and at night, gunning down children, women, men and the elderly alike. According to the report, the Fulani invaders were not only content with killings, but also burned down houses, churches, police posts, food and farm items.

In a way, this speaks volume about the state of law and order in the country and citizens’ respect for the rule of law. The government must realise that its first and primary duty is to provide security and protect lives and property and its failure to do so renders it illegitimate and ineligible to demand obedience from citizens. The Nigerian government has consistently failed to protect its citizens. In a way, its inability to protect lives and property is tacitly encouraging citizens to resort to self-help and the state of nature where survival is the first law.

But much more shocking however, is the government’s response to the constant killings. The government initial maintained a painful and loud silence on the killings as if nothing was wrong and after severe criticisms, its spokesperson came out to say the government was handling the matter silently. It took severe criticisms from all and sundry and the growing perception that the President was obviously protecting and encouraging his Fulani kinsmen for the President to belatedly order security agencies to clamp down on the rampaging herdsmen. This is in sharp contrast with the President’s handling of pro-Biafran protesters and the Niger Delta militants that the President has ordered the military to crush decisively.

The inability of government to protect citizens and the perception of bias has now encouraged communities to begin to arm themselves for self defence when the need arises. A situation where people resort to self-help shows clearly that they have lost faith with the ability of the state to ensure justice in the country. This can only lead to anarchy and chaos. Nigeria cannot afford such a scanario. And that is why government must act now to restore confidence and assert its control over the entirety of Nigeria’s territory.

We urge the government to do a thorough self-introspection and begin to take measures to strengthen its capacity for maintenance of law and order and ensuring that justice is done to all wronged parties promptly to strengthen their belief and faith in the rule of law and the legal process.