Terrorism: Sarkin Fulani Berates Ortom Over Allegation Against Miyetti Allah

By Akinwale Kasali

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has come under criticism from the Sarkin Fulani of Lagos State and Chairman, Association of Fulani Chiefs in the South Western axis of Nigeria, His Royal Highness, Alhaji  Mohammed Abubakar Bambado, over his call on President Muhammadu Buhari to declare the Miyetti Allah as a Terrorist Group.

He dismissed Ortom’s call as ethnic profiling.

Bambado cautioned Ortom against generalisation and blanket ethnic profiling when making a statement on which group should be declared terrorists.

The Monarch stressed that the Miyetti Allah is a respectable, responsible socio-cultural, political and economic organization with recognized businesses that are constitutionally and legally allowed to operate in any sane clime across the world, adding that, the Association is also peopled by high profile personalities of impeccable character who have paid,  and are still paying their dues in the socio-political and economic survival of the country and beyond.

He added that  it is absurd, barbaric and unjust to group such reputable organization with bandits.

Bambado furthermore posited that it is nothing but an act of mischief, ignorance, laced with hatred, pointing out that while acts of banditry cut across ethnic tribes and those involved can be tagged as terrorists, he said the Miyetti Allah is a clear Fulani group and tagging its members as terrorists is nothing but pure ethnic profiling and is unacceptable.

He viewed the call as reckless and unguided. He is of  the conviction that any leader worth his salt is expected to consult widely, think deeply and weigh his utterances because of the implication any unguarded remark from him could cause in the society.

He said Ortom’s call is uncalled for at a time the country is passing through a volatile period.

The Monarch, therefore, urged all well-meaning Nigerians, home and abroad, to discountenance the governor’s call on the President to declare Miyetti Allah as a terrorist group, describing the call as meaningless and unguided vituperation from an uninformed person.