The ominous silence of fulani herdsmen

The Fulani herdsmen are a nomadic ethnic group from West Africa, primarily found in Nigeria, Mali, Burkina Faso, and other countries. While they have a long history of peaceful coexistence with other ethnic groups, in recent years, they have been involved in violent conflicts with farmers and other communities in Nigeria, particularly in the Middle Belt region.

The Fulani herdsmen have been accused of carrying out attacks on farmers, killing and displacing thousands of people, and destroying crops and property. These attacks have been attributed to a variety of factors, including competition for land and resources, cultural and religious differences, and political and economic marginalization.

The silence of the Fulani herdsmen in the face of these attacks has been described as "ominous" because it suggests a lack of accountability and a willingness to continue the violence. The herdsmen have been accused of using their silence to intimidate and threaten their victims, and to avoid taking responsibility for their actions.

The Fulani herdsmen's silence has also been seen as a reflection of the broader societal and political issues in Nigeria, including corruption, poverty, and inequality. The herdsmen's actions have been fueled by a sense of marginalization and exclusion, and their silence has been seen as a way of avoiding accountability and perpetuating the cycle of violence.

In recent years, there have been efforts to address the conflict between the Fulani herdsmen and farmers, including the establishment of a special task force to investigate and prosecute the herdsmen, and the implementation of policies aimed at addressing the root causes of the conflict. However, the conflict remains a significant challenge for the Nigerian government and society, and the silence of the Fulani herdsmen continues to be a source of concern and controversy.