Ishaku Differs with Buhari, Says Herdsmen are Gun-wielding

By Paul Obi in Abuja

Taraba State Governor, Darius Ishaku, yesterday differed with President Muhammadu Buhari on the statement that herdsmen do not carry guns. 

Ishaku spoke in Abuja when he received an award from the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Abuja on health care service delivery.

The governor explained that due to the continuing attacks by Fulani herdsmen, the health sector in the state has been affected negatively.

Ishiaku maintained that herdsmen carry arms and not sticks as the president would want the whole world to believe.

Buhari had told his American audience during the bilateral talks with United States President, Donald Trump, that the Fulani herdsmen that he knew did not carry guns, blaming the killings on returning militia who had been armed by the late Libyan leader, Mummar Gadaffi

Ishaku observed that there must have been some contradiction, wondering if they don’t carry arms as claimed by the president, then who are the ones brandishing AK47 rifles and killing locals. 

Ishaku contended that Buhari’s statement was “absolutely not correct.”

“I mean who kills who? They cannot be  imaginary. People are being killed with AK 47 rifles and we have to stand up and do something to stop it.

“The insecurity has certainly put a lots of pressure on our health care facilities, much more than we anticipated and we have almost 150,000 displaced persons

“In the North-east, Taraba State used to be  relatively peaceful before now. We are having our own share of the herdsmen problem and that has added a lot of pressure on our health services. Which means we have to do more, we have to employ more doctors, nurses and specialists.”

Speaking on the NMA award, Ishaku said it would only motivate him and his administration to do more. 

“This award is very elevating, it is an award that will spur us to do more. You know we are on our first term, and this is my third year in office.

“We are reconstructing or rehabilitating three hospitals in the three senatorial zones of the state and we are putting some of the local government unit in shape. Most importantly, we are equipping them as much as we can with modern equipment. 

“So I’m surprised that the NMA has noticed so quickly what we are doing in just three years. We thank God and we will do more to keep our people healthy. Health is wealth,” he said. 

The governor alongside two of his counterparts, Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State and Ibrahim Gaidam of Yobe State, were among the dignitaries who received the awards.

Also, the wife of Kebbi State Governor, Dr. Zainab Shinkafi- Bagudu, received the NMA award for her contribution to health care service delivery. 

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