Politics
Benue Killings: FG Ignored Our Calls – Ortom
Barely one week after armed herdsmen invaded six communities in Benue State, killing no fewer than 50 persons, Governor Samuel Ortom, has accused the Federal Government of ignoring the state’s persistent calls for assistance. He also said the headquarters of perpetrators of the attacks and their leaders are based in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
This is coming at a time when Second Republic senator and former minister, Prof. Iyorwuese Hagher, lambasted President Muhammadu Buhari over killings by Fulani herdsmen in Benue and other parts of the country, accusing him of betraying “democracy and promoting genocide.”
He asked President Buhari to step aside so that another person would take over the mantle of leadership and solve the country’s problems.
In an interview with Daily Sun, Ortom accused the Federal Government of not doing anything over herdsmen’s attack in Benue, revealing that the authorities were notified over threats to attack the communities but nothing was done.
“The security in Benue State is doing its best. It is not that the perpetrators are not known. They are known, and we’ve been reporting them. They are coming from other parts of the country to attack us. But their headquarters and their leaders are in Abuja. And it’s not that they did not inform us; we were threatened and we reported this to the authorities, the security authorities of this country, and nothing has been done,” said Ortom.
The governor said Miyetti Allah’s leaders issued a threat after he signed the anti-open grazing law.
According to him, “they threatened that, first, they would not accept the law, and they would do everything to stop the implementation, that they would go against it, and they will mobilise their members to fight and frustrate the implementation. We reported them. They did not issue this threat once. They issued it several times through press conferences. They are on video, they are on audio, they were published in the papers, that they were going to attack the state, and we reported them.
“So, it is not that they are not known. The police are aware, the DSS are aware; the NSA is aware of this.”
Ortom said he would concentrate on solving the killings in Benue and, therefore, would not engage in politics for now.
Said he: “Let me tell you, I am not talking about politics now. Whether presidency or no presidency, governor or no governor; whether I am re-elected or not, that is not my concern. My concern now is how I will stop the killings that are going on, because I cannot be politicking with dead people; I am not a dead man,” he said, his nostrils belching fire.
The Benue State governor spoke on these and other things in a full interview on Page 45.
Meanwhile, Hagher, lambasted President Buhari over killings by Fulani herdsmen in Benue and other parts of the country.
In an open letter to Buhari, entitled ‘You have betrayed democracy and promoted genocide,” Hagher said Buhari had betrayed his campaign promise to Nigerians that his government “‘will always act in time and not allow problems to irresponsibly fester” by allowing the genocide in the Middle Belt to go on unimpeded.
He asked the President to “step aside and open the political space for another person to continue your war against corruption with a more comprehensive development program that Nigeria needs and deserves.”
The former minister told Buhari to dedicate more energy to solving the problems of Fulani herdsmen as “the protection of life and property of the citizens is more important than your war against corruption! The protection of lives of citizens is the most sacred responsibility of the state and your presidency. Your government has failed woefully in this regard. Mr. President, there is no greater corruption than the government looking the other way while the strong bullies kill the weak with impunity and pleasure.”
Hagher also said he was pained that the President ignored his earlier advice, in a private memorandum of July 30, 2016, where he warned him of the possibility of a horrendous genocide in Benue, Plateau, Taraba, Southern Kaduna, and southern Adamawa State.
“I asked you to be proactive and stop the genocide that has been ongoing but which would burst out in the open and shock the world within 18 months. Your office replied my letter on September 28, 2016, and the reply was couriered to me in the United States, thanking me ‘immensely’ and giving me the assurances that the advice would be heeded,” he said.
He regretted that 17 months after the warning and prediction, the federal government did nothing to pre-empt or prevent the genocide and, therefore, asked Buhari to stand up to his constitutional responsibilities before another civil war breaks out.
In a related development, the Nasarawa State Government donated relief materials worth N50 million to displaced persons from Benue in the state’s border communities as a result of the attacks by suspected herdsmen.
Deputy Governor, Silas Agara, who announced the items for distribution in Lafia, explained that the materials were procured on the directive of Gov. Umaru Al-Makura for the IDPs in Awe and Keana local government areas of the state.
Agara said more than 15,000 persons, including women, children and the aged, were currently housed in camps in the area.
The deputy governor said the relief materials were to ameliorate the hardship being faced by the displaced persons.
Also, Senior Pastor of Champions Royal Assembly, Kubwua, Abuja, Brother Joshua lginla, vehemently condemned the Benue killings.
Iginla said during the church’s first Sunday service of 2018: “The killers will not go unpunished. They are cursed; both the killers and their sponsors.”
An enraged lginla, in placing a curse on the killers and their sponsors, wondered why Christian religious leaders were not speaking out to condemn the killings. He also wondered why Christian leaders do not speak up when evil ravages the country.
From Benue, Ortom’s Special Assistant on Herdsmen, Alhaji Shehu Tambaya, disclosed that herdsmen’s attacks were part of the focus of a meeting held by the state government, before the implementation of the anti-open grazing law.
He also disclosed that the state chairman and secretary of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) were part of the committee, at the state level.
Tambaya debunked claims by MACBAN’s national coordinator, Garus Gololo, that the recent attacks in some Benue communities were as a result of the rustling of over 1,000 cows in Logo and Guma local government areas.
He said no member of MACBAN in the state, at any point, reported such loss of cattle to the state government, even as he urged the public to disregard Gololo’s claim.
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) called for a special session of the United Nations Human Rights Council to deliberate on the killings in Benue State. The group, in an appeal dated January 6, 2018, signed by its executive director, Adetokunbo Mumuni, urged Prince Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to use his leadership position to “urgently call and/or facilitate the holding of a special session of the UN Human Rights Council to address the “persistent killings,” not just in Benue, but also other parts of Nigeria.
SERAP urged Al Hussein to “speak out strongly and condemn the killings and make an official visit to Nigeria with special rapporteurs, with relevant mandates to discuss the killings and concrete actions to end the killings and ultimately bring about significant improvements in the lives of farmers and their families as well as other citizens affected by violence across the country.”
Lending his voice to the herdsmen’s saga, managing director of Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), Emmanuel Jime, challenged security agencies to fish out the people that carried out gruesome attacks on local communities in Benue State.
He suggested the use of intelligence and other precautionary measures to prevent future attacks on communities in the state.
Also, Middle Belt Youth Council (MBYC) and members of Benue Journalists’ Forum Nigeria (BJFN) called on the President of the United States of America, Donald Trump, and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, to save indigenes of the state from extinction.
MBYC and BJFN expressed deep worry over the sustained unprovoked attacks on the helpless citizens of the state from herdsmen.
In separate statements in Abuja, the groups expressed their disappointed over the inability of Nigerian security agencies to halt the calculated genocide against the people of the state.
In a statement, the MBYC, through its national youth leader, Emma Zopmal, said: “The unabated killing of our people, in their communities is war declared on us and President Buhari is sleeping on duty.
“We should not make the mistake of thinking that government will stop this situation. Every part of the country is defending its territory now. The Fulani terrorists will leave no part of the Middle Belt region untouched and, thereafter, face the southern part of the country with war.”
On its part, BJFN said it had, on October 4, 2017, alerted the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, about the threats by herdsmen and their sponsors to take over Benue valley by attacking it from six fronts, namely, Kwande, Guma, Konshisha, Vande-Ikyaa and Gwer respectively.
Ken Richas
January 9, 2018 at 12:31 am
You are still asleep, wake up and protect your people……
Ohane Paul
January 8, 2018 at 10:32 pm
Chuks Chuka
January 8, 2018 at 10:14 pm
shot up, you are playing politics with the life of Benue people, fool.
Ugonna Iroegbu
January 8, 2018 at 9:07 pm
You are nothing but a weak man. Are you not chief security of Benue, organize your men and wipe them let see what jubril will say. Act as a man, if i were you i will give order to kill any Hausa/Fulani on sight nothing will happen.
Sant Emmy
January 8, 2018 at 9:04 pm
Gowon where are u ? Bingo where are u ? One Nigeria fool called Gowon..
Innocent Chibuuzo Okoye
January 8, 2018 at 9:01 pm
WETIN CONCERN ME???
Eze Chidi Robert
January 8, 2018 at 6:47 pm
Good morning sir.
Henry Nwokolo
January 8, 2018 at 6:00 pm
Stop dreaming governor!!
Sesugh Paul Ortese
January 8, 2018 at 5:11 pm
Let them go ahead and continue ignoring your calls if they really do, be courageous and a man of your words for by the grace of God, days shall surely come when you in turn shall ignore their calls. PROUD TO BE A TIV MAN.
Lugard Sydney Luggy
January 8, 2018 at 4:17 pm
Rise up and defend your state and community before those Hausa fulanis will wipe your tribe and village away .self defence is the best .everyone should be ongard
Blessing Chinedu
January 8, 2018 at 4:09 pm
This is just the beginning. A zoo republic were cow’s life is more valuable than human beings. A country rules by the wicked will hardly see good. Let the killings continue because one of them is on the seat of leadership . Sai baba!!!
Luu Gardoo
January 8, 2018 at 3:36 pm
For those of you having close boundry with Benue state. Make sure you apply protective plans to repel this herdsmen
Benedict Udoaka
January 8, 2018 at 2:37 pm
Why wouldn’t they(FG) ignored your calls when their brother are killing you. Eg; If my brother is fighting and I saw that, he is beating or winning his opponent, I will keep mute and watch while the fighting is going on.
Daniel Lazarus
January 8, 2018 at 2:11 pm
You voted for him so please don’t complain
Ken King
January 8, 2018 at 1:46 pm
U once said that buhari is the best medicine Niger needs, so stop complaining
Eugene Augustcomte
January 8, 2018 at 1:44 pm
Are you not an APC governor ? This is the beginning
Cheery Emma Aligwe
January 8, 2018 at 1:39 pm
Are u not a fool to complain of this, with what happened at Agatu, u still watch this happen
Emmanuel Okeke
January 8, 2018 at 1:29 pm
No u say Buhari is the best
David Iwuagwu
January 8, 2018 at 1:23 pm
SUPPORT BIAFRA RESTORATION
Bobby Ray
January 8, 2018 at 1:11 pm
You think buhari has Nothing to Offer Nigeria than to kill peoples
Victor Nwuzor
January 8, 2018 at 1:02 pm
Wow!
Nwali Mathias
January 8, 2018 at 12:59 pm
U were warned before now
Anthony Ikechukwu Enyi
January 8, 2018 at 12:55 pm
Wake up ! Stop being fearful ! Protect your people !
Benson Chuka Ameke
January 8, 2018 at 12:54 pm
Where is that Gowon
Eleazar Ugochukwu
January 8, 2018 at 12:50 pm
You played politics with the life of ur people
Solomon Degge
January 8, 2018 at 12:46 pm
Decamp from apc and defend yr people.they dont care
Obidike Nze
January 8, 2018 at 12:22 pm
How can he act when he is washing buhari’s pants
Mishael Chikwueokpala
January 8, 2018 at 12:13 pm
You fools will soon get to understand that mazi Nnamdi kanu is a prophet sent by God to deliver his people from the inveding forces of darkness. Take it or leave it, Benue state will cease to exist if they fail to organize themselves. Biafra is our hope and Biafra will must get. All hail Biafra
Martin Aghanya
January 8, 2018 at 12:06 pm
Buhari ignored your calls bcos he wants your people to die
Ebuka Stanleo Okolo
January 8, 2018 at 12:00 pm
Enjoy ur one Nigeria jare
John Yigabari
January 8, 2018 at 11:50 am
Don’t look helpless
John Yigabari
January 8, 2018 at 11:50 am
Go and meet ekiti state governor for solution
Samuel Amos
January 8, 2018 at 11:39 am
Your people killed igbos during the civil war.this is just the bigening
Gideon Tarbo
January 8, 2018 at 11:42 am
Are u still a fool?
Moses Okhagbuzo
January 8, 2018 at 11:57 am
Must you make comment?@Samuel amos
Nkonye Chibu Ugwonu
January 8, 2018 at 11:33 am
Benue and FG are same APC.
I Cant Believe The Benue State Governor Sounding Helpless As Chief Security Officer Of The State
Helsingborg Segelino
January 8, 2018 at 11:25 am
U av not started…dey will ignore u till Fulani terrorist kill ur entire community….
Mack Chanchin'g
January 8, 2018 at 11:25 am
good morning your still sleeping walk up
Charlie Achomrough
January 8, 2018 at 11:20 am
“No, we are from Benue, and we believe in one nigeria.” Enjoy your fake one Nigeria.
Ifeanyichukwu Madunagu Frank
January 8, 2018 at 11:12 am
Just the beginning when you love Fulani headsmen government you must love his killing squad
Obidiran Ghazaly
January 8, 2018 at 11:12 am
But you are the chief security of the state. And you are talking in lawless manner.
Obidiran Ghazaly
January 8, 2018 at 11:12 am
But you are the chief security of the state. And you are talking in lawless manner.
Solo KC
January 8, 2018 at 11:01 am
u cause the killing of ur people by making them vote a terrorist, u live life and chose death so stop vomiting zobo
Samuel Ogbonna
January 8, 2018 at 10:58 am
Call ur brother Paul unogo, useless nigerians
Sylvanus Eberechukwu Chukwukere
January 8, 2018 at 10:49 am
When kanu is talking and shouting about all this to happen, people were saying is hate speech. And looking ways to kill him. But what is happening now?
Emeka Okwuefuna
January 8, 2018 at 10:45 am
i thought you said buhari is the best????thurder fire your dirty mouth
Don Martino
January 8, 2018 at 10:49 am
Mwaaaaaah
Don Martino
January 8, 2018 at 10:43 am
Onyeala
Michael King
January 8, 2018 at 10:38 am
Why won’t you be ignored? The leader of the herdsmen is the president, the leader of Boko Haram is the president and you want him to come and fight his brothers. Wake up old man
Chinyere Tina
January 8, 2018 at 10:29 am
Organise local securities. Things are getting out of hand in your state.
Muhammadsani Inuwa
January 8, 2018 at 10:20 am
Sir, you are a governor of a state, act like one.
Ukonu Ebere
January 8, 2018 at 10:05 am
Should have done something yourself. Y pass d buck? I tire 4 all these incompetent leaders.
Jacob Evans
January 8, 2018 at 9:59 am
D cow stil talking
oblano
January 8, 2018 at 10:51 am
Where are they and their cattle rearing president, Grand Patron Mayetti Ala Herdsmen.