Ortom Berates FG, ‘Cattle In Nigeria Now Have More Immunity Than Humans’

Samuel Ortom, Benue state governor, has accused the federal government of placing more value on the lives of cattle than that of Nigerian citizens.

The governor was reacting to statements credited to Mansur Dan-Ali, minister of defence.

Speaking after a meeting of security chiefs with President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday, Dan-Ali alluded that the herders were provoked into killing innocent citizens because of the anti-open grazing law.

“Look at this issue (killings in Benue and Taraba), what is the remote causes of this farmers crisis. Since the nation’s Independence, we know there used to be a route whereby the cattle rearers take because they are all over the nation. You go to Bayelsa, Ogun, you will see them. If those routes are blocked what do you expect will happen?,” he told State House correspondents.

“These people are Nigerians. Is just like one going to block shoreline, does that make sense to you? These are the remote causes of the crisis. But the immediate cause is the grazing law. These people are Nigerians and we must learn to live together with each other. Communities and other people must learn how to accept foreigners within their enclave. Finish!

“However, this is internal security, I can provide some answers. I have told you that the remote cause is part of the grazing law. Since independence, there are clear routes where these people pass,” the minister said.

Reacting, Ortom said the minister’s comment was an insult to the sensibility of Nigerians, adding that the federal government places more value on the lives of cattle than humans.

“I heard a statement credited to the Minister of Defense, saying the killings in Benue were as a result of the anti-open grazing law. I can’t see him saying that kind of thing. If he said so, I would have asked him what he has done about Fulani herdsmen going about with AK47s,” the Benue governor said.

“I will not surrender my land to foreigners. You can go and do that in your own state. It’s sad that those who are supposed to be assisting the President have instead, turned round to misinform him, all for their selfish interests.

“As a state, we are ready to accommodate those who are genuine and come to our state legally, whether foreigners, to do business. But if you are in Benue, you must respect the laws of the land.

“I see the statement as an insult to the collective leadership and sensibility of the people of Nigeria, for a minister of defence to ask Nigerians to accommodate foreigners who illegally enter the country to cause problems.

“I am now beginning to see that they have given immunity that is the prerogative of President, Vice-President, governors and deputy governors to herdsmen, who kill and to their cattle. Cattle in Nigeria now have more immunity than humans. This is very unfortunate.”
Meanwhile, the Federal Government had after the meeting said it will commence the monitoring of social media accounts of high profile Nigerians.

This, the government said, would enable it to curb the spate of hate speeches being made by high-flying citizens.