According to Dambazau, the attacks are a non-military issue because the police have not been overwhelmed by the herdsmen.
“We must protect the country which is the main function of the police. The Civil Defence are there to complement them too,” the minister said during an appearance on Channels TV.
“This is a non-military issue that borders on law and order. It is not every security issue that you call in the military. It is the responsibility of the police to maintain peace. I believe that if we put the police in proper position in terms of discharging its functions, then there would be no need for military option.
“The police are equal to the task. If you have to deploy the army, then you are going above board (sic). In any case, I do not even have the power to deploy the military for anything. It is only when the situation gets out of hand that you invite the military,” he added.
The Fulani herdsmen have been rated as one of the world’s deadliest terrorist groups by the Global Terrorism Index.
