Herdsmen Attacks A Continuation Of Fulani 1804 Jihad To Take Over Nigeria – Ortom

Governor Samuel Ortom has claimed that the non-stop attacks on the people of Benue State by suspected herdsmen is “an act of vengeance” for conquest of the Fulani in the 1804 Jihad.

Governor Ortom equally expressed concern that the umbrella body of the herders, the Miyeti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN), may be leveraging on some sort of encouragement it is allegedly getting from the Presidency to boldly carry out its attacks in parts of Nigeria.

Advertisement

Speaking while serving as a guest on The Osasu Show,’ Ortom said previous statements credited to the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, and the Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, were clear indications that the Nigerian government had taken sides with the marauding herders.

“It is as if the federal government has taken sides with Miyeti Allah Cattle Breeders Association. Both the IG of police and defence ministers statements are testaments to what I am saying,” said the governor.

“Though I don’t know the level of support the herders get from the presidency, but the press statements by the Miyeti Allah Cattle Breeders Association comes from people living in Abuja.

“Well, I wouldn’t know about their patrons or the extent of some cable involvement. 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.

Advertisement

“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 the IDPs go back to their homes and live peacefully. Once that is done, we can talk about other things,” he said.

Advertisement

“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.

Speaking further, Governor Ortom said although the elders of Benue had invited President Muhammadu Buhari to pay a visit to the state to condole with its citizens, he is yet to heed the request.

President Buhari had also come under criticism for failing to personally visit the families of the victims of the attack almost two months since the deadly attack that left over 7o people dead in the state.

“When we visited (Buhari), we even invited the president to come to Benue state and pay his condolences to his people. Because we are members of the 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.

Advertisement

Meanwhile, Senator Ben Muray-Bruce of Bayelsa east constituency, on Friday, urged President Buhari to emulate the exemplary leadership of President Donald Trump by paying a commiseration visit to those affected by the herdsmen attacks in Benue.

YouTube video

Leave a comment

Advertisement