Ibekimi Oriamaja Reports
The Benue State government, led by Governor Samuel Ortom, has demanded that the leaders and members of the Miyetti Allah be arrested and prosecuted immediately.
Arresting and prosecuting members of the group, according to the Benue State government, will put an end to banditry in the country.
Track News recalls that the Fulani socio-cultural association, Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, lashed Governor Samuel Ortom in a communique issued at the end of its expanded National Executive Committee (NEC) and State Chairmen meeting held Monday in Abuja.
“The meeting condemned the beleaguered Governor of Benue Samuel Ortom’s continuous profiling of Fulani pastoralists through his satanic anti-grazing law, which he has been using to officially consficate and auction millions of cattle belonging to Fulanis in Benue-Nasarawa, Benue, and Benue-Taraba border communities,” the group said.
In a statement issued by Terver Akase, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, the state government said members of the groups have questions to answer about the armed herdsmen who have taken over the country’s forests.
“We read a statement credited to the Fulani socio-cultural group known as Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore in which it accused Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom of profiling Fulanis and confiscating their cattle for auction,” said part of the statement.
“This is not the group’s first time launching a smear campaign against Governor Ortom.
“Miyetti Allah groups have designated the Governor for not only victimization and vilification, but also elimination.”
“When they talk about Governor Ortom, they don’t hide their evil intentions.”
“The groups have vowed never to obey the Benue State Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law and have taken responsibility for the attacks on Benue people at various times since 2017.”
“Their claim that Governor Ortom has been profiling Fulani, which was corroborated by comments by Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, is not only false but also malicious.”
“When groups like Miyetti Allah and the Fulani Nationality Movement, FUNAM, issue press statements threatening peace-loving Nigerians, they never hide or deny their ethnicity.”
“In most cases, their threats are fulfilled. Miyetti Allah and the other groups fit the bill if anyone is guilty of profiling the Fulanis.
“Governor Ortom has no personal animosity toward Fulani.” Some of his long-term friends are Fulani, and he also has some Fulani appointees.
“The Governor is only opposed to Fulani attacks on his people from neighboring countries such as Niger, Chad, and Mali, among others.”
“He owes no one an apology for standing with his people in opposition to those whose sole goal is to take over and occupy Benue lands.”
“The Fulani groups believe that they are above the laws of this country.”
“This is why they issue bold directives, threats, and hostile comments on sensitive national issues, believing that neither the Federal Government nor anyone else can stop them.”
“They are now calling for the creation of a Ministry of Nomadic Affairs.” Perhaps their next demand will be the establishment of a Nomadic state populated solely by pastoralists.
“If the Federal Government is serious about putting an end to banditry in this country, it should order the arrest and prosecution of Miyetti Allah leaders and members.”
“They must answer questions about the armed herdsmen who have taken over the country’s forests and are attacking innocent Nigerians.”
“It is important to emphasize once more that no amount of hatred or media attacks will result in the repeal of the Benue State Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law.”
“Anyone intending to breed animals in the state must do so in accordance with state laws.”
