The farmer waits for rain in the early months of the year. If it rains properly, not the scattered rain that deceives you to plant early, then the farmer would know it is time to plant the yam seedlings. He prays for rain, and when it comes, he prays for more rain. Without the rain, the labour of the farmer would be in nullity. After the rain, he would plant the yam seedlings. By the time the yam seedlings are planted, he would have cleared the farm, cut and burn the bush and ensure that the farm is ready like…

The report was treated like a footnote in the main press, but social media and online news platforms gave it a wider play. It’s the story of the launch of a nomadic vigilante service by Miyetti Allah, a group of herders turned political pressure group, comprising mostly Fulani. The national president, Bello Bodejo, said in Lafia, Nasarawa State, where the launch took place, that the vigilante service, which had already recruited 1,144 Fulani youths, would assist security agencies in the state to combat criminal activities. Four years ago, the Nnamdi Kanu-led separatist group, IPOB, made similar doubtful claims when the…