Why Buhari should declare herdsmen terrorists, sack IGP Idris – Col Stan Labo

A retired military officer, Colonel Hassan Stan-Labo, has called on
President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately declare Fulani herdsmen as
terrorists.

Labo speaking on Channels Tv said this was the only solution to halt
killings by herdsmen in some parts of the country, adding that putting
herdsmen on watchlist would attract the international community.

He said "If we declare killer herders terrorists, it will place them
on the watchlist. We can get assistant form international community.

"The killer herders have political backing

"Already in Benue we have law of close grazing, we expect federal
government to give full support and make funds available for both
grazing land and growing of fooder

"It becomes a win-win situation for both parties.

"Enlightenment also has a great role to play in putting an end to
herdsmen attack.

"Leaders should be responsible and responsive, therefore say things
not to divide and entrench general public."

Speaking on the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, Labo said
immediate dismissal of the IGP would have driven a serious message to
police officers with lackadaisical attitude.

"The President as the Commander in Chief of the Federal Republic is
the State. He is the State. The president should, therefore, bring to
bear on governance generally.

"If I was the commander in Chief, in his (Buhari) position. As I am
telling you that I am surprised he never went, I will immediately be
announcing his retirement asking the next fellow to remain in the
acting capacity until I appoint another Inspector General.

"It will send a message down that you are a serious President," he said.

"The Nigeria Police according to the retired military officer are
overwhelmed. Stan-Labo said the police are overwhelmed by the
incessant killings and cannot solely tackle the herdsmen-farmers
successfully.

"More military intervention is needed as the police is not wired to
carry out some of the functions assigned to them. I don't see what the
police are doing in Benue, running around in the forest.

"Giving what is going on, we know the police is overwhelmed. The
police is got a huge manpower deficit which goes in tandem with its
capacity deficiency and so on.

"The task in Benue, Taraba and so on are fully military tasks," Labo added