Drums of discord have continued to beat in Nigeria.
Two days after Yoruba activist, Sunday Igboho, was said to have ordered herdsmen to leave Yorubaland, a northern group, the Arewa Youths Assembly, has reacted in a similar measure.
It is giving Igboho ’72 hours’ to relocate all Yorubas in the North.
In a statement signed by its speaker, Mohammed Salihu Danlami, it said:
“One Mr. Sunday Igboho issued a press statement in which he was quoted as saying enough is enough; that the time for Yoruba nation is now, that they will no longer accommodate and accept the presence of Northerners.
“The constitution of the country has made it crystal clear that any Nigerian can live in any part of the country, irrespective of his or her religious and tribal placements.
“We are hereby giving him the ultimatum of 72 hours to move his people out or we will be forced to take necessary actions by personally taking the responsibility of getting his people back home.”
On Wednesday, Sahara Reporters had quoted Igboho as saying, “Starting from now, we don’t want herdsmen in our land to disturb our farms again. If we meet any killer herdsmen, we are going to face and destroy them.
“If any police attack us for that, we are ready for them. We don’t want Nigeria again, but Yoruba nation. There is no essence for one Nigeria when major resources in the country are in the hands of the northerners.
“Enough is enough, no going back… we are not scared of anybody; these killer herders are taking over our land and they are killing us.”
The herdsmen crisis has set many voices against each other.
It began with the destruction of farms and trespassing on restricted areas although herders too have been complaining that traditional grazing routes have been usurped in many places.
Besides, they also suffer rustling in some areas across the country.
