Herdsmen: Some persons, groups desperate to incite ethnic violence - DSS

The Department of State Services (DSS) has raised concerns over an alleged plot by persons to cause ethnic and religious violence in the country.

This was said in a press statement issued on Wednesday, by DSS’ Public Relations Officer, Peter Afunanya, titled ‘DSS reiterates call against violence’.

The DSS issued the warning following the recent clash between the herdsmen and the people of the South-west.

According to reports, Yoruba rights activist, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, and some prominent Nigerians in South-West have called for the killer-herdmen to vacate the region.

In other to address the growing banditry and crisis between farmers and herders, some governors have banned open and night grazing in their states.

One of such is Governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje who suggested the ban on the movement of cattle from the north to the south.

However, the Nigeria security agency has announced that any person found culpable of inciting violence or war would be made to face the full wraths of the law.

“The Department of State Services (DSS) hereby reminds the public of its earlier warnings about plans by persons and groups to exploit some fault lines to cause ethno-religious violence in parts of the country.

“Latest developments indicate desperate efforts by these groups to subvert public order. In this regard, they have continued to resort to inciting, unguarded and divisive statements and acts. The objective is to pit citizens against one another in order to apparently inflame the embers of tribal and religious discords.

“For the umpteenth time, the Service strongly warns these elements to desist forthwith from their (planned) nefarious acts or face the full wraths of the law. However, the DSS will, in collaboration with other security and law enforcement agencies, take necessary steps to ensure the safety of lives and property of the citizenry,” the statement read.