Benue group raises alarm on Fulani attack

THE principal umbrella socio-cultural organization in Benue State on Monday drew the attention of the state governor, Samuel Ortom on the plan raised the plan by Fulani herdsmen to unleash terror on the territory of the state.

The association however charged the governor to urgently draw the attention of the federal government to the alleged planned attack to avert the impending doom.

The association consists of the forum of Mdzough U Tiv, Idoma National Forum and Omi Nyigede.

The pan socio cultural group led by Engineer Edward Ujege had on Monday visited governor Ortom at the new banquet hall where they informed him of the alleged threat to unleash terror on the state.

According Ujege, ‘the principal umbrella socio-cultural organizations of the Tiv, ldoma and lgede Nations has been drawn to reports of an alleged armed Fulani militia build-up and convergence at the Nigeria-Cameroon border and at the Agatu border with Nasarawa State to the North West of Benue State.’

“It was reliably gathered that leadership of the herdsmen have held clandestine meetings in Nigeria and abroad to visit mayhem and genocide on the people of Benue State.

“The plot is said to be multi-directional and aimed to simultaneously invade and attack Benue from every angle so that there would be no escape for your defenseless people.”

The spokesman called on the state governor that such threat should not be taken lightly considering the ‘previous unprovoked bloodletting, unjustifiable destruction of peoples’ livelihoods and systemic ‘.

He also cited the avowed threat by the Miyatti Allah Kautal Hore to mobilize their people and resist the anti-open grazing law as part of the ploy to attack the people of the state.

The association further said, ‘we are also seeking your prompt intervention to alert the Federal Government and its agencies as well as well-meaning Nigerians and international community to intervene and ensure the attack is nipped in the bud.’

In his response, Governor Ortom said that nothing would stop the state from enforcing the anti grazing law expected to commence November, 1st, 2017, adding that the state government was partner with federal ministry of agriculture by providing land for the establishment of pilot ranches in the state.