A former Governor of Kano State, Ibrahim Shekarau says the incessant clashes between Fulani herdsmen and farmers across the country was seriously threatening the continued existence of Nigeria as a single and united entity.

Speaking with newsmen at a two-day round table discussion on herdsmen and farmers conflicts, organized by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation (SABAM) in Kaduna, Shekaru called on the Federal Government to take proactive measures towards tackling the menace before it metamorphoses into a nation-wide religious conflict.

Shekarau, who is also the Secretary of the Board of Trustees of SABAM and a former Minister of Education warned that the frequent conflicts across Nigeria were already taking their, toll on the unity of the country as according to him, some unpatriotic individuals were already trying to give the conflicts a tribal and religious undertone.

“The conflict is affecting the unity of the country. You see, there are suspicions. Herdsmen are being suspected. Farmers are being suspected to the point of killings. It is not just the issue of herdsmen and farmers.

“You can see in some communities, it has degenerated to a tribal conflict. Very soon, some people will make it look religious or sectional and therefore it will become a problem for the country.

Shekarau said the Foundation would not allow the conflicts to be politicized as according to him, politicization of the conflicts had the capacity to affect the economy since lives and property would be lost if the situation was not urgently and amicably addressed.