By Samuel Ortom
In the past two weeks, we buried over 70 people in Abiri LGA. The same in Koma LGA. We don’t have a Government
This is an unfortunate development. If the Federal Government had taken proactive steps, today we would not be where we are in this country.
We have buried over 70 people in the past two weeks in Abiri local government. This is unacceptable. Go to Koma local government, the same killings are happening. Go to Bowa West, the same killing is happening. This is not right.
The FG has failed to take proactive steps in tackling this ugly occurrence here today.
You will recall that I alerted the world when Fulanis, in 14 countries, met in Yola, Adamawa State and declared that except we rescind the decision on Open Grazing Law, we will not know peace.
On this ground, I was targeted for elimination. They attempted to assassinate me. It was only God that saved me. And I said they are going after my people, and the FG should arrest the leadership of Miyetti Allah that hosted that meeting. And up till today, nothing has been done. It is really unfortunate, showing that we have no government in place.
We don’t have a government and this is very sad. If proactive steps had been taken by arresting the leadership of Miyetti Allah, this would not have happened.
For several years, the FG has refused to answer and do the needful. So sad. This is Abagana, the adjourning villages are occupied by IDPs. What else do you want these people to do? You sent them away from their houses, and they came here to take refuge, and today, they have been killed in this camp. Over 70 people have been killed in the last two weeks.
They no longer come with their cattle, but they come here to kill, and they have said until we agree for them to bring their cattles to graze, we will not know peace.
This we say NO! That it won’t be acceptable. What kind of country is this?
Mr. President said it the other day that the Military should shoot anyone carrying AK 47. Up till today, we haven’t heard anywhere the Military shot anyone wielding AK 47. Rather, the Military changed what Mr. President said, saying that they will be arrested and prosecuted.
Where are we going? You wake up every day and see your people being killed. How can I be a happy man with this kind of thing? So please, Mr. President must do the needful. I want to suggest that immediately, let there be a security summit. I am aware that in Niger, Zamfara, all over the country. North East, North West, South East, South West and South-South, this dastardly act is taking place, by these Fulanis and people are afraid to say it and they give them a name bandits. They are not bandits but Fulanis.
The people that came here were seen and people saw them speaking the Fulani language and they wanted us to proscribe and rescind our decision on Open Grazing law.
It is the people of Benue state that told me to make that law, I didn’t just take that decision about the law. This is sad.
President Buhari must rise to the occasion as the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces.
Our people usually say that a Goat doesn’t bite, but when it’s been pushed to the wall, itwill bite. This is unacceptable. This is unaccepted.
President Buhari was elected by the people so he must rise and do something. No other person has the responsibility of arming the military and security men and providing them with equipment and funding to eradicate this. This is too sad.
They are playing us around because these are Fulani men doing the same thing, because they want to take over our land. If not, what are they doing all this for. You send people away from their farms, here they are in the IDP camps and you came her to kill them. What else do you want? Buhari, if you are the Governor of Benue state, what do you want to say? What do you want me to say? You must arise and do something. They are your kinsmen, call them. Enough is enough.
They are taking us for granted. This will not be accepted. I know the implication of telling people to go on self-help, and I want to repeat my call, that if you are serious about this insecurity matter, Mr. President, allow us to buy AK 47, and face them, and give us license and let us face them. You have disarmed us.
Police and Military men have been arresting people who have swords and cutlasses just because they are from Benue state. You know where these Fulanis are, go and disarm them as well.
Buhari will give an order, the Defesne and Military heads will also give an order. What kind of thing is that? It is really very sad. President Buhari we are not asking you to protect us because we are from Benue State, it is your responsibility, so you must arise.
This that the heads of security are addressing insecurity, you must arise and address this insecurity issues yourself and declare emergency on security.
Call a security summit and bring all of us together, and let us all agree and you must be sincere this time around, not just playing on us.
This is too far. Enough is enough. If you want to kill us, come and kill us and we will know you were elected to kill us. Bring them on, am ready for them.
I am already 60 years, and I am ready to go. You want to come and kill us, come on and kill us. Come and kill me because I cannot be presiding over dead people.
This is enough.
Ortom, Governor of Benue State, delivered this speech on a visit to an IDP Camp, where 70 people were killed by, allegedly, rogue Fulani herdsmen.
