Nigerians in the United Kingdom on Monday staged a protest against the killings by the suspected Fulani herdsmen in various parts of Nigeria, especially in Benue State.
The protest was staged at the popular Trafalgar Square in London.
The organisers of the protest, the Mutual Union of Tivs in the United Kingdom, led other members of the Nigerian community in the United Kingdom to the Nigerian High Commission and later to the British seat of government at 10, Downing Street, London.
The protesters, holding placards with different inscriptions such as: Nigerian Government stop your silence on Fulani herdsmen and Stop killing Nigerians, Enough is Enough, expressed disappointment at the silence of the Nigerian Government.
The Vice President of MUTUK, Dr. Kohol Shadrach Iornem, speaking on behalf of others, called on President Muhammadu Buhari to offer a lasting solution to the killing of innocent people in Benue State.
Iornem said: “We are here today because of the current problems we are facing in Nigeria in the hands of the Fulani herdsmen who have continued to massacre our children, brothers, sisters, mothers and fathers.
“We are here because our people back at home have done everything within the law to bring an end to this ethnic cleansing.
“Our people back at home in Benue State have protested, they have held press conferences, they held meetings with community leaders to discuss the solution to these attacks, they have passed the anti-open grazing bill.
“Our leaders back at home have even visited President Muhammadu Buhari to plead with him to take decisive actions.
“It is sad that immediately after their visit, the Fulani herdsmen terror group killed at least six persons in the same Guma and Logo Local Governments where over 70 people were initially massacred and given state burial.
“We believe the international community does not know about the current genocide in Nigeria and that is there has been no reaction from them.
“We are here today to let the British Government know about this terror group, which has killed more Nigerians than the Boko Haram.
“It is the responsibility of any government to protect the lives and properties of its citizens and the government have failed us in this regard.
“In developed countries, the President ought to have tendered his resignation for failing the people who elected him.
“He is the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and not the president of a particular ethnic group.
“We ask the Federal Government of Nigeria to consider implementing the “anti-open grazing bill” all Nigerian state.
“Provide advice to the Federal Government of Nigeria on finding ways to deal with the political and economic dimensions of pastoralism by reducing conflict with farming communities.
“The government should also understand that pastoral nomadism is no longer practicable in this era of rapid population growth and climate change.
“The Nigeria government and the international counter-terrorism coalition should investigate the possible link between the Fulani terrorists and Boko Haram insurgency and the inflow of illicit arms from failed states in the African sub-region, with emphasis on the nexus with Libya and Niger.
“This is just the beginning.
“If President Muhamadu Buhari does not take immediate action to address the brutal killings of our defenceless people, Nigerians will come back here again.
“Enough is Enough.”
The protesters in a letter submitted to the Prime Minister, Theresa May, called on the British Government to intervene in what it called “systemic ethnic cleansing in the country”.
The petition was presented by Iornem on behalf of MUTUK to Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the UK, who was represented by the Head of Chancery, Dr. Niyi Ojo.
In the letter, MUTUK called on the British government to intervene in what it termed the systematic ethnic cleansing because security forces have been compromised, adding: “An appeal to the British Government on behalf of our defenceless fellow Nigerians is a desperate plea.”
It also said the British Government should “evoke the necessary international mechanisms to establish the veracity of the substance of this petition.
“Highlight the problems and humanitarian needs of the displaced populations, particularly women, children and the aged and support for voluntary organisations to provide assistance through self-help.”