The Presidency has said that it has evidence that proves that some politicians are behind the recent killings being carried out by herdsmen across the country.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said this in a statement released to journalists in Abuja, on Sunday. According to the statement, the politicians were using the herdsmen to perpetuate the killings.
The Presidency also believes the situation is made worse by climate change which has created added pressure on the shoulders of many in the region.
The statement read: “The Presidency is appealing to all its citizens as well as members of the international community to refrain from spreading false stories and inflammatory statements concerning the recent herder-farmer clashes.
“The Nigerian government is working closely with state governments and security services — as well as international partners — in order to resolve this ongoing issue.
“The clashes between herders and farmers are historical. The causes of these confrontations are varied and complex.
“Climate change, specifically the drying up of the Chad Basin, has led to more pressure on the population in the North of Nigeria, which further compounded the problem.
“As President Buhari indicated lately, there is evidence of involvement of some politicians using criminals to perpetuate the killings.
“Climate change is an issue of global significance and the Nigerian government is determined to continue working closely with its neighbours in order to ensure that a long-term solution can be implemented.
“The Federal Government makes no distinction amongst the population and works tirelessly to protect all Nigerian people.
“We are strongest as a nation when we are united and it is through unity that we will overcome this challenge.”
The presidency has also said it was doing everything in it’s power to fish out the perpetrators behind the killings in the region, and dealt with accordingly.
The President had said: “Some deliberately instigated by disgruntled politicians who have lost all arguments and are desperate to cause mayhem as a way of seeking relevance.