In an apparent change of stance, the Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed, has advised herders against carrying weapons such as AK-47 rifles.
Mohammed made the appeal at the annual livestock vaccination campaign on Wednesday, even as he urged the herders to fish out the criminals among them.
This is coming on the heels of wide condemnation of his earlier comments wherein he justified the need for herders to carry Ak-47.
At the closing ceremony of the 2021 Press Week of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Bauchi State Council on Thursday, Feb 11 the governor said the state had failed to protect the herders from cattle rustlers and other dangers, and as such, they had to carry AK-47 to protect themselves.
The comment was heavily criticised by many Nigerians including Samuel Ortom, Benue State governor, who accused his Bauchi counterpart of encouraging criminality.
At the vaccination campaign held at the Galambi cattle ranch in the state capital, Mohammed advised herders not to misinterpret his comment as he spoke figuratively.
“Please, don’t carry the AK-47 that I made a figurative allusion to. Try to make sure that you remain peaceful,” the governor said.
He, however, added that he had no apologies for those profiling the Fulanis as killers, adding that no tribe was devoid of criminals.
“We kicked against the profiling of the Fulanis as killers and kidnappers. We have no apology for what we have said, because what we have done is to say the truth — that there is no tribe or ethnic group that is free from criminality.
“We are not saying that to spite anybody or spark unnecessary controversy. We have made our point and Nigerians across the board have discussed it, and I am happy to say that from all indications, the majority of sensible Nigerians have appreciated what we have said and that is the point.
“What I will do, I will not say it here, but I will do everything possible to make sure I protect you and lend support to you, because I know you mean well.”
