The Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, has criticized the reaction of the federal government to the incessant clashes between Fulani herdsmen and farmers and villagers across the country, saying the administration’s docile posture is the reason why the problem persists.

In a statement issued on Wednesday signed by IYC spokesman, Eric Omare, the council expressed doubts that the attacks against farmers in many states were perpetrated by herdsmen as previously assumed, adding that the attackers should be treated as terrorists.

The IYC advised the federal government and security agencies to quickly bring the situation under control to forestall reprisals attacks with unpleasant consequences to the nation.

“We condemn the persistent attacks by terrorists disguise as Fulani Herdsmen in several parts of the country especially the middle belt, South West and most recently the attacks in Enugu State, South East Nigeria,” the council stated.

Umare said that the IYC believes that the attacks are being carried out by terrorists disguised as Fulani Herdsmen.

“The traditional Fulani herdsmen have been grazing their cattle for decades in different parts of the country without such attacks until recently when the attacks became persistent with the emergence of Buhari as the President of Nigeria,” the council observed.

The IYC also called to question the federal government’s silence on the rising incidence of attacks by herdsmen, pointing out that while it has failed to react to this, it continues vow to deal with pipeline vandals in the Niger Delta.

“We also frown at the suspicious and criminal silence of the federal government. We are surprised that President Buhari has vowed to deal with suspected vandals of oil facilities in the Niger Delta region like Boko Haram but has remained mute in the midst of consistent massacre of Nigerians by Fulani terrorist.

“The IYC believes that the attacks by the so called Fulani herdsmen are deliberate terrorist and religious agenda to wipe out some communities in the middle belt and southern part of the country,” Omare said.

The council also urged communities in the Niger Delta region, especially in Ijaw land to be vigilant and be on the alert for terrorists who disguise as herdsmen.

It said that IYC structures all over the Ijaw communities in the country had been directed “to set up special task force to monitor and report the activities of these murders masquerading as Fulani herdsmen.”