Terrorism, Fulani herdsmen and the forced migration of Christians and Igbo Indigines from Northern Nigeria: The revalidation of Biafra?

Abstract

This paper highlights terrorism, Fulani herdsmen and the forced migration of Christians and Igbo indigenes from Northern Nigeria, and the revalidation of Biafra following the killings of hundreds of Christians, and Igbo indigenes, and destruction of their properties running into billions of Naira in Borno, Yobe, Gombe, Bauchi, Adamawa, Taraba, Kaduna, Plateau, Benue, Nassarawa and Kogi States. However, the recent slaughter of innocent Nigerians in Benue State including the senseless slaughter of two Catholic priests and their parishioners by marauding Fulani herdsmen heightened the insecurity in Nigeria. Data depended on both primary and secondary sources and literatures related to the variables were reviewed. Aggression and Frustration theory was employed to provide a foundation for the study. Among the findings, the study revealed that the terrorism has become a national menace affecting socio-economic and political development of the country. The study showed that the Boko Haram deadly attacks have not only destroyed hundreds of lives and properties worth billions of naira, but also culminated in the forced migration of both Christians and Igbo Indigenes seeking greener pastures from Northern Nigeria. The study, furthermore, revealed that the current wave of uncertainties in Nigeria is a bye product of an accumulated deprivation, destruction, marginalization, anger and frustration of Christians of the north central geographical zone who would prefer to join their Igbo counterparts to be self ruled in their proposed creation: Biafra. Based on this, the study therefore recommends that the government should protect and safeguard Christians of the north central geographical zone and Igbo Indigenes from being massacred and their properties running into billions of naira destroyed so as to save Nigeria from splitting into "Banana Republics". Secondly, the government should address the symptoms of terrorism and the deadly and continued invasion of Fulani herdsmen rather than the root cause in order to resolve the crisis and halt the dismemberment of the Nigeria nation. Furthermore, the Muslim leaders should inculcate in their members high ethical standards, respect for human life, dignity and also ensure that their adherents are more loving and tolerant of other people and other religions. Finally, the study concludes that since Nigeria is a pluralist society, the government should through the mass media emphasize the essence of peaceful co-existence so as to engender national integration.