Benue Killings: Youths Raise Militia Group To Tackle Fulani Herdsmen

Strong indications emerged last night that youths in Benue State in a bid to counter the recurring attacks by Fulani herdsmen in the state may have resorted to the establishment of a militia group to check the attacks. Saturday Telegraph reliably gathered from a competent source in the know of the latest move that the youth decided to form the militia group, which is expected to take the formation and modus operandi of some well known groups in other geo-political areas in order to save indigenes from further bloodshed arising from the attacks.
The source, who craved anonymity, said by establishing the militia group, the youth were not in any way trying to be violent or confrontational as the case maybe but instead, were trying to safeguard the numerous lives and property yet to be destroyed, especially as it affects other indigenes from other states. It will be recalled that armed gunmen had on Janaury 2, unleashed violence and mayhem on some rural communities in Benue where about 50 persons were killed.
President Muhammadu Buhari had on Wednesday condemned the killings, and wanton destruction of property in the affected communities in Guma and Logo Local Government Areas of the state even as he commiserated with the government and people of Benue over the incidents.
The president had also expressed outrage at reports of killings of innocent persons in Omoku, Rivers, and the traditional ruler of Numana, Kaduna State, the Etum Numana, Dr Gambo Makama, and his wife.
The traditional ruler and his wife were killed in Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State in the New Year.
However, the source told Saturday Telegraph that: “The resurgence of attacks on Benue communities since the beginning of the year has remained a sour grape in our mouths. Our people now live in perpetual fear of the unknown particularly on which community or area would be attacked again. This is very absurd. From reports available, it appears the indigenes are being pushed to the wall and this is saddening.
“Even, I “scooped” from some them saying they are planning to establish militia group (s). You know the implication of this but I can tell you that this is going to be far reaching. Our brothers elsewhere did same and there was sanity in the domain.
Maybe this is going to be far reaching as the days unfold.” The source, who could not state categorical what the group’s name may be, noted that the situation had called for a proactive measure to check the activities of the Fulani herdsmen in the state. “We are not violent people. Everyday, the news is about Benue State being attacked in one way or the other. How long shall we continue like this with the killings of our people,” he asked.
Buhari: Killer herdsmen deserve maximum punishment
President Muhammadu Buhari has described herdsmen who murdered over 50 persons in Benue communities a few days ago as criminals. President Buhari, who spoke yesterday through his representative and Minister of Interior, Lt. General Abdulrahman Dambazzau (rtd), during a condolence visit to Governor Samuel Ortom at the Government House, Makurdi, said he was personally pained by the heinous incident.
He said: “We feel your pain especially our mothers who bore us in their wombs. Government will not sit down and watch people to be killed and their property destroyed. Anyone found wanting deserves maximum punishment.” The president cautioned Nigerians against politicising the incident, noting that many people were cashing on the killings for their selfish political interest.
“We should exercise restraint. The Federal Government is putting heads together with the state government to find a lasting solution to the crisis. As I have said, the attacks have nothing to do with religion, it is criminality. Benue State as the food basket of the nation needs a lot of security.”
On why the Federal Government failed to act fast despite a letter written by Ortom to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the minister said he was yet to be briefed, stating that the attacks were unacceptable in a civilised society. “This is a sad period in our nation’s history but I assure you that security agencies are doing a lot to contain the situation.
We will stop at nothing in fishing out perpetrators of these act and deal with them,” he vowed. Dambazzau disclosed that over 5,000 agro-rangers were being trained by the Federal Government to handle incessant herders, farmers clash across the country.
Ortom urged President Buhari to demonstrate his words with action by directing the immediate arrest of the leaders of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore whom he said were executing their earlier threat to the peace-loving people of the state.
“These people that issued threat are staying with you there in Abuja. We want you to arrest them and make them to account for their words,” Ortom said.
Senator George Akume who is the Chairman of Committee on Army expressed confidence in president Buhari to handle the situation. He urged him not to allow the issue of herdsmen to dent his hard earned image.
Ortom: I am not afraid of assassination threats
Meanwhile, the governor yesterday said he was not bothered by threats to his life by those who do not want implementation of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law in the state. Ortom stated this when leadership of the state’s branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), paid him a courtesy call at the Government House in Makurdi.
The governor affirmed that if it is not the will of God, no man has the right to take life or stop the ongoing implementation of the ranching law of the state. He told the people to remain steadfast till impunity is defeated in Nigeria, saying no sacrifice is too big in the struggle to end the genocide being perpetrated by Fulani herdsmen in parts of the state.
Ortom said it is time Benue sons and daughters put away political differences and unite to speak with one voice against invasion and occupation of their land which has left many people dead and property worth billions destroyed.
He said the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law had come to stay and no amount of intimidation could make the state stop implementing of the legislation. The governor expressed the hope that President Buhari would take further steps to stop the carnage and arrest those behind the genocide especially leaders of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore who had threatened to resist the law.
Ortom, while appreciating the NBA for the consolatory visit, said he was happy that he had not done the wrong thing by enacting a law that seeks to protect his people, stressing that it was a global best practice and that he and President Muhammadu Buhari also practise ranching. Earlier, Chairman NBA Makurdi branch, Mr. Emmanuel Agbakor, said the gruesome killings violate the right to life of Benue citizens as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution.
Army confiscates 30 motorcycles from Fulani insurgents
A detachment of the Nigeria Army deployed to contain the renewed attacks on Benue farmers by rampaging herdsmen in parts of Guma Local Government Area yesterday confiscated over 30 motorcycles used by the attackers.
This is just as seven Fulani herdsmen who were arrested in connection with the invasion of two local government areas of Benue State, and another one who was arrested for grazing in Governor Samuel Ortom’s farm were also yesterday arraigned before a Makurdi Chief Magistrate Court presided over by Isaac Ajim.