President Muhammadu Buhari is capable of putting a stop to the wanton waste of lives by suspected herdsmen across the country, and he must do so.
This is the assertion of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) over the alleged reluctance of the Presidency to take a decisive step over the issue.
The group said the president needed to face the facts and address the issue as it affects Nigerians in general, the families and victims of the series of attacks by the herdsmen.
The assertion of the group is contained in a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by its Deputy Director, Mr. Timothy Adewale.
The statement reads in part: “As the President of the Republic and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, SERAP believes that Buhari is in a powerful position to end the unlawful killings and destruction of property apparently by herdsmen.
“Buhari needs to speak directly to Nigerians and particularly to the countless victims and their families.”
Also, SERAP stated that justice would remain a mirage in the different cases except reparation was paid to the families and victims of attacks and killings.
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The group said a trust fund would therefore be necessary to make this possible.
SERAP said the trust fund would be an important first step towards justice for victims and their families.
The group argued that so far government’s attempt to address the persistent attacks had overlooked the plight of the victims.
“It is important to ensure that any policy to tackle the problem is not used as a ploy to undercut the possibilities of justice and reparation for victims and their families.
“It has to be made clear that victims of attacks by herdsmen are entitled to effective remedies regardless of whether they bring their claims against the government in an individual or collective capacity.’’
While stating that as a way of ensuring justice, it must be established that the culprits are identified, SERAP said the rights of the victims and their families should be fully sustained.
It said it was part of the rights of the victims and their families that reparation was ensured.
“It is no coincidence that the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 (as amended) and human rights instruments refer to victims’ right to effective remedies, including access to justice, reparation and guarantee of non-repetition,” SERAP said.
