Governor of Benue state, Mr Samuel Ortom, has again called on the federal government to act fast in its bid to find lasting solution to herdsmen attack in the country, especially Benue.
The governor equally threatened the federal government with the forthcoming 2019 election, saying that he had already stopped anything that has to do with politics till federal government stops herdsmen from killing his people.
In an exclusive interview with ‘The Osasu Show’, the governor expressed dissatisfaction with federal government’s approach in treating the case.
In his words, “It is as if the federal government has taken sides with Miyeti Allah Cattle Breeders Association. Both the IG of police and defence minister’s statements are testaments to what I am saying.
“Though I don’t know the level of support the herders get from the presidency, but the press statements by Miyeti Allah Cattle Breeders Association come from people living in Abuja.
“Well, I wouldn’t know about their patrons. But one thing I know is that the people that have been issuing these press conferences and statements are known. They are living in Abuja, they are living with the powers-that-be.
“These people have gone beyond grazing; it is about invading the land and taking over. All the places they have attacked, they have chased the people away and they are using their farmlands produce as feed for their cattle.
“They are conducting international conferences, issuing press releases and writing on social media and they have come out to say look, in 1804 Jihad, it was Benue people that stopped them from penetrating from Sokoto to the sea.
“And this time around, they are not going to stop. They will make sure that the mobilise all Fulani men across the globe, especially from the West African sub-region to ensure that they acquire arms and come and invade and take over the land.
“Because they also said that Nigeria is the only land that God has given them, so no other person will supervene on this land except them. That it is their own land, they got this land by conquest and we have no business staying on this land. It is unbelievable. The statement is coming from Miyetti Allah.
“For now, my primary concern is to stop these killings; to ensure that IDPs go back to their homes and live peacefully. Once that is done, we can talk about other things,” he said.
“I don’t care about what happens tomorrow. Even if I am not governor, I can stay back and fight for the right of my people.
“When we visited, we even invited the president to come to Benue state and pay his condolences to his people. Because we are members of the same party, he is our president. If these people are attacking us, we expect him to give us security.
“He has done a number of things. He directed NEMA to provide relief materials. He also asked for security to be beefed up but I am not satisfied with what the presidency is doing on this matter. There is no doubt about that.
“I ask for justice for Benue people because we have not been treated fairly. The attack on Benue is an act of vengeance by herders for losing the 1804 Jihad. Benue people stopped them from penetrating the state through the sea”, he said.
Vanguard
