₦airaland Forum

Despite the offer of land by Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State to the federal government, the people of Kogi East, cutting across nine local government areas in the state, have petitioned President Muhammadu Buhari, saying they have rejected cattle colonies in Igala land.

The local government councils are Ankpa, Bassa, Dekina, Ibaji, Idah, Igalamela/Odolu, Ofu, Olamaboro and Omala.

In a petition signed by the President of the Igala Project, Mr. Atayi Babs, and the Secretary General, Mallam Musa Haruna, which was made available to THISDAY in Lokoja yesterday, the group stated that it vehemently opposed the move.

According to the petition, it was predicated on the fact that it would eventually lead to breakdown of law and order with killings and wanton destruction of property, “as our people, who are largely farmers, are not prepared to host Fulani herdsmen or cattle colony masters in our land.

“Our position is further reinforced by the multiple acts of war and mayhem being unleashed daily on our innocent farmers and hapless law-abiding citizens in their villages, homes and farm lands by rampaging Fulani herdsmen.

“Mr. President, between June 2015 and December 2017, Igala land has witnessed several killings as a result of herdsmen’s violence in several areas including Ebeje where eight people were killed and farms set ablaze; in Agbada/Agojeju, 19 people were slaughtered; Edede, two persons were killed, six in Oganenigu, three people killed in Ojapata, five people killed in Ojuwo Anawo. All these happened in Dekina Local Government Area.

“The story is not different in Ofu Local Government Area as well as Ojuwo Omachi and Akpagidigbo where the incessant attacks of herdsmen have claimed the lives of over 20 persons.

“In Abejukolo and Bagana in Omala Local Government Area, the reign of terror resonates loudly so much that our people no longer move freely to and from their farm lands because of the fear of killings, maiming and rape with some villages like Ebakume wholly sacked and entire farm produce, granaries/silos completely burnt.”

The group said: “Despite the brazen nature of the aforementioned acts of criminality by these would-be occupants of the so-called cattle colony, none of them has been arrested or made to account for these crimes as these heavily armed herders terrorise our land, flaunting their prowess in the handling of AK 47 rifles and double barrel guns.”

https://www.benuepress.com/2018/01/kogi-east-rejects-cattle-colonies-in-igala-land-despite-gov-yahaya-bello-land-offer/

Immediate past minister of Interior, Abbah Moro, has in strong terms condemned the recent clash between farmers and Fulani herdsmen in his country home, Okpokwu LGA of Benue State.

One person was confirmed dead and many houses razed in a clash that ensued between the cattle breeders and farmers in Ingle Odidi community in Okpokwu.

Reacting to the incident in a statement he personally signed, Moro, who was the former local government chairman of Okpokwu, described the clash as very unfortunate.

He called on the security agencies to go after those behind the heinous act and bring them to book.

He said, “Information coming out from Okpokwu LGA of Benue State indicates that one Fulani herdsman was killed, houses razes and others still missing, If this is true, it is very sad and unfortunate indeed, coming at the heels of the killing and mass brial of Benue citizens recently. This is one killing too many, Benue State has witnessed unprecedented spates of killings in the past, from Agatu to Guma, from Guma to Logo and Buruku to Kwande and most parts if the state, With horrendous killing of the past few weeks, efforts appeared to be geared towards finding s a lasting solution to the perennial herdsmen/farmer clashes occasioning death. The latest killing, abduction and destruction of property in Okpokwu is therefore unacceptable.

“Intelligence in the recent past had indicated a possible attack of Fulani herdsmen by armed gangs who have been suspected to be behind the killing od retired teachers and businessmen in the area. It is unfortunate that, this same armed gang are suspected in this latest killing.

“I urge security agencies in the area to urgently take steps to fish out and apprehend the perpetrators of the heinous crime. Life is sacred and a gift from God and no peron(s) regardless of status has a right to take another’s life.

“Let me appeal to those involved in the recent incident to remain clam and trust security agencies to rise up to the occasion to bring those who committed this crime to justice.”

More gruesome murders were recorded Wednesday when suspected herdsmen again unleashed terror on residents of Guma, Logo and Okpokwu Local Government Areas in Benue State, killing five persons in the process.

This is just as four female suicide bombers in Maiduguri, Borno State, detonated their bombs Wednesday, leading to the deaths of 12 persons and 65 others sustained injuries.

In the Benue incident, eyewitnesses said that there was an attack on Okpokwu Local Government Area following a disagreement between headsmen and farmers which led to the death of one person.

The state governor, Mr. Samuel Ortom, also confirmed the fresh killings in Guma and Logo where two persons, he said, were killed in each of the councils.

Ortom disclosed this Wednesday when he received members of the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders' Forum at the Government House, Makurdi, the state capital.

The group had paid him a condolence visit at the Government House to commiserate with him over the killing of 73 persons by suspected herdsmen on new year day.

Ortom revealed that two women were killed in Guma and two other persons in Logo.

He stated that despite the presence of the Inspector General of Police (IG) Ibrahim Idris and 663 armed riot policemen deployed in the state, killings were still being perpetrated without any arrest.

The governor reiterated his call on the security agencies to arrest the leadership of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore whom he said were still issuing threats to resist the implementation of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law in the state.

The Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, has called for fairness in the arrest and prosecution of those involved in the crisis in Benue State.

MURIC said Fulani herdsmen shouldn’t be the only ones arrested by security operatives.

The organisation warned that arresting and prosecuting herdsmen alone for killings in Benue can only, “give Nigeria peace of the graveyard” which will not last long.

The organisation made the call while reacting to the 14-day ultimatum, senate gave the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris to arrest those involved in the massacre in Benue State.

Reacting to the order, MURIC said there was the need to clarify who should be arrested between the herdsmen and people of Benue State.

In a statement signed by its Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola Says, MURIC urged the police boss to, “conduct a comprehensive and impartial investigation, arrest, detention and prosecution of all killers,” involved in the crisis.

The statement reads partly, “While the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) welcomes this development, we see the need for clarification and modification of Senate’s request.

“In the first place, we need to ask whether the killers who should be arrested are just herdsmen who have been accused of killings in Benue. If this is so, there is need for modification particularly in the light of the exposure of a killer army being sponsored by Benue State authorities and the claim by herdsmen that the Benue militia had been killing Fulanis in the state. Therefore IG must not only arrest killer herdsmen but also arrest, detain and prosecute killer militiamen in illegal camps in Benue.

“Secondly, IG’s deterrent action must not be limited to Benue alone. He must spread his dragnet to Taraba, Plateau and other volatile states where killings of all forms have occurred. The herdsmen have complained that 1,000 of their men have been killed in different states while two million of their cattle have been rustled. No serious security outfit can close its eyes to this allegation if it wants enduring peace.

“What MURIC is saying is that arresting and prosecuting herdsmen alone for killings in Benue can only give Nigeria peace of the graveyard. It will not last. For lasting peace, we must fish out those who have been killing herdsmen and rustling their cows. That is comprehensive justice. Only a holistic disciplinary action can halt the cycle of violence.

“To cut a long story short, we charge the IG to conduct a comprehensive and impartial investigation, arrest, detention and prosecution of all killers among the herdsmen, Benue militia, Bachama terrorists and all criminal elements who are cutting short the lives of innocent Nigerians. We urge the press to avoid assymetrical journalism and to Nigerianise their reportage, particularly in sensitive cases like that of Benue.”

The leadership of ethnic nationalities in Nigeria, including Afenifere, Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo, Middle Belt and South South Forum, yesterday, stormed Makurdi, Benue State, urging President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress, APC, to embrace the call for the restructuring of the country to save it from imminent collapse.

The leaders, who were in the state to commiserate with Governor Samuel Ortom and the people over the killing of 73 indigenes by herdsmen on new year day, also declared their support for the open grazing prohibition law enacted by the state government.

They also urged other state governments to adopt the law in their various states to check the menace of herdsmen in the country, noting that it was the way to go. This came on a day Niger Delta Avengers, NDA, also called for restructuring of the country, declaring anybody opposed to it, including the Federal Government, as an enemy.

Ohanaeze:

Speaking on behalf of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo, the President-General, Chief John Nnia Nwodo, noted that since military intervention in Nigerian politics, the Nigerian Constitution has become a huge fraud. He said: “I have never seen a country practice democracy and does not respect the voice of the people. We need to restructure Nigeria now or in the next seven years, Nigeria will be extinct. “Restructuring is a national imperative. How can we have a security council consisting of a people from a particular section of the country? It is not fair. Are we a conquered people? “I recall that the global terrorist index rated herdsmen as the fourth most dangerous terrorist group in the world but the federal government has continued to look the other way as they continue to wreak havoc in the country. Nigerians must rise and fight against tyranny in our land. “If politicians fail to address these issues and fail to restructure the country, a time will come when Nigerians will dance on their graves. The truth is that the people of Nigeria are tired of this country. “We must commend Governor Samuel Ortom for his uncommon courage in the face of adversity, he has shown that he is a civilian general.’’

Afenifere:

On his part, the leader of Afenifere delegation, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, urged all Nigerians to support the restructuring of the country to save it from collapse. He said: “The problem we are facing in Nigeria today was created by the Constitution the military imposed on us. “Anything it will take to get us out of this bondage, we will stand firmly with it because the matter is beyond politics. “If we go ahead to conduct any election in Nigeria without changing the Constitution that makes your president the most powerful man in the world, even more powerful than the president of America, we are finished. “We all want to be in Nigeria on terms imposed on us by every section of the country because it will be the people’s Constitution.” While lamenting the leadership style of President Buhari, Chief Adebanjo said: “l had warned Nigerians about President Buhari because he is not a democrat.’’ The elder statesman, who condemned the killings in Benue State, stated that herdsmen never believed that any other tribe existed in the country, describing the impression as regrettable.

South South Forum:

On his part, the leader of the South South Forum, Air Commodore Idongesit Ikanga, retd, warned that all was not well with the country, especially where the innocent were being killed. “We are totally behind Governor Ortom because the greater number of the soldiers that fought the civil war that kept this country united were from Benue. “What happened in the state has further strengthened the call for the restructuring of the country. “We are saying that there must be Nigeria but it must be a country where justice must prevail.”

Middle Belt Forum:

Also speaking, the leader of the Middle Belt Forum, Bala Takaya, said the bloodshed in Nigeria was getting too much. “We pray that the blood of those killed will not go in vain, it will cry for justice before the throne of grace and justice, the author of life. “What happened in Benue is nothing but an ethnic cleansing. How then can we describe a situation where evil forces will besiege the homes of innocent people and murder them in cold blood? “The events in the country at the moment have again brought to the fore, the need for the restructuring of the country in order to save Nigerians more pains and anguish.”

A delegation of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, led by its Deputy National Chairman (South), Yemi Akinwunmi, yesterday, paid a condolence visit to the government and people of Benue State over the recent killings by herdsmen, which left hundreds of households in mourning.

The delegation was received by the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Michael Gusa, who stood in for Governor Samuel Ortom, at the State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, Makurdi, the Benue State capital.

Akinwunmi said the delegation was in Benue on behalf of the party to commiserate and show love with the government and people of the state over the tragedy that has left many families without their loved ones and breadwinners. Akinwunmi said:

“We are here to our show love and concern over the unfortunate incident that happened. We are not unmindful of the scarcity of food for the people that were forced to leave their homes at various places.

“We felt these relief materials will go a long way in solving the problems that they have not created for themselves, but by the situations that they found themselves. We want to enjoin you to help us commiserate with the families of the deceased. We pray that this type of ugly incident will not happen again.”

The Movement Against Fulani Occupation, MAFO, a civil society organisation against the activities of herdsmen in Benue State, has warned that the activities of herdsmen in parts of the country was a clear indication that the Miyetti Allah was planning a coup against the Nigerian states.

MAFO is the group that sponsored the anti-open grazing bill in Benue.

Speaking to newsmen yesterday in Makurdi, MAFO leadership, through Dr. Sam Abah, warned that Miyetti Allah, as a group, was executing the plot through its murderous activities.

The group said: “Miyetti Allah is plotting a coup against Nigerian states and they are executing the pilot state by state.

“A phenomenon is going on now in the rise of an ethnic group that has no regards for the law. The killings, therefore, are not acts of aggrieved herdsmen, but the handiwork of well-trained, well-paid, well-armed gangs/militia terrorists that act as a standing army of invasion, sponsored by elites to wage war across Nigeria, particularly Benue State.

“The terrorists and their sponsors are not foreigners from Mali, Chad, Niger, Libya and Senegal.

“Rather, the murderers are Nigerians sponsored by Nigerians to kill and destroy Nigeria.”

The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese in Anambra State, Most Reverend Paulinus Ezeokafor said yesterday that the situation in the troubled Benue State required special intervention from security operatives in the mould of Operation Python Dance carried out in the South East and Operation Crocodile Smile in the South –South combined.

Speaking during a special service to mark this year’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Awka, the cleric challenged the Nigerian security operatives to apply similar measures used in unmasking those behind the brutal killings of over 20 worshippers on the New Year’s eve at Omoku, Rivers State in fishing out those behind the Benue massacre.

According to him, mere deployment of officers and men of the Nigeria Police to the troubled state may not yield the desired result. He said:

“Just check all those buried recently in Benue; they are mainly Christians. Check all the attacks, you will discover that Christians are being killed in their numbers. Is this another form of carrying out a hidden agenda or are these killers on conquest mission? ‘The worst is that those behind the dastardly acts are yet to be made known. What are they waiting for? “They said it was communal crisis, why not name the communities involved? I saw trailer loads of dead bodies going for the mass burial and I ask, why are they not using the Don Waney’s method to get the killers in Benue State? “Operation Python Dance was declared on the harmless IPOB protesters and many were gunned down for no just cause,’ Bishop Ezeokafor said.

The Inspector General of police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris on Monday insisted that Nigerians must continue to live under one umbrella.

In a statement via the ‘Nigerian Police Force’ Facebook, Idris reiterated that “we should concentrate on issues that keep us together as a country, not issues that tend to divide us.”

“In continuation of his efforts to restore lasting peace in Benue and Nasarawa States and end all forms of Killings, emplace peaceful coexistence and provide adequate protection of lives and properties; the Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim K. Idris, NPM, mni, is currently holding a peace meeting with Governors and Stakeholders from Benue and Nasarawa States and Traditional Rulers from both States, at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.

“We must live as one and concentrate on issues that keep us together as a country, not issues that tend to divide us.”

Prominent leaders from Benue State have told President Muhammadu Buhari that there is no land to allow for the establishment of cattle colonies as being proposed by the Minister of Agriculture, Audu Ogbeh.

They made their position known to the president on Monday after they held a closed door meeting with him in the State House, Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Governor Samuel Ortom, who led the delegation and addressed the press after the meeting, said Mr. Ogbeh, “who is a son of the soil has explained that cattle colonies are a combination of several ranches” and is proposing that ten thousand hectares should be provided for that purpose.

“In Benue, we don’t have ten hectares for colonies, other states may have, but we don’t have in Benue State,” he said.

Among those in the delegation are former senate president, David Mark; former governor, George Akume and several others.

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Ibrahim Idris, has cleared the air over allegations by Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State that militiamen were camped in Tunga village of Awe Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

Idris made this explanation yesterday after an assessment visit to Guma and Logo villages in Benue and Tunga, in Nasarawa states to get firsthand information about the allegations.

“I am here in Tunga today (yesterday); about three days ago, I was in Benue state and just sitting in the Benue stakeholders’ meeting, the governor was making allegations that militia men are trained in Tunga, but I am surprised,” he said.

“From what the chairman said now, nothing like that has happened.

“I have spoken to the Fulani men and Tiv people here and all of them confirmed that there are no militiamen in Tunga. Obviously, as the IGP, sent here by the President, I am happy to hear that.

“Nobody has the right to attack another person; so, we are going to reinforce the number of mobile men, so they can identify areas where there are build-ups,” he said.

President Muhammadu Buhari will today meet with Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom and other stakeholders from the state, in a bid to resolve the crisis sparked by the herdsmen killings.

No fewer than 73 victims of the herdsmen’s actions were buried at the weekend. Over 60,000 displaced persons are in five camps.

Audu Ogbeh said he would join his kinsman in the Villa to proffer the way forward on the killings in the state.

“Yes, they just called to inform me that the governor and his entourage would be coming to have a meeting with the president on the attacks on farmers in the state”, he said.

Also speaking ahead of the meeting, the state governor, Ortom, said he had ordered the arrest of those instigating the Tiv-Hausa clash or any form of ethnic crisis.

Ortom demanded the arrest of the leaders of Miyyeti Allah Kautal Hore, especially its President Abdullahi Bello Bodejo, and National Secretary Saleh Alhassan.

Ortom said: “We are meeting on Monday. The stakeholders are going to meet with the President. The stakeholders will see whatever the Federal Government is able to put on the table and if the stakeholders accept, I will abide by it.

“It is Benue stakeholders. It is at our own instance; we requested that we are going to meet with him.

Barely 48 hours after the mass burial of 73 victims of the recent herdsmen attacks in Benue, the National Vice President of Miyetti Allah Cattle Herders Association, Husaini Yusuf Bosso, has warned that more blood will be shed in the state if the anti-grazing law introduced by Governor Ortom is not completely scrapped.

According to him, the herders have been sorting out their issues with farmers in the state before the Ortom government enacted the anti-grazing law without consulting stakeholders. He said: “We, the association wrote a letter to him, even met him.

We told him that this law cannot work. We told them that there is an international cattle route from Niger to Eastern Nigeria. He said he will not allow cattle to pass through Benue state even if it is the cattle route.

We told him that if he wants to implement that law, he must provide a land for us to rent. He did not provide any land for cattle herders. They have been in that state even before colonial days and co-existing peacefully.

We advised him and he refused to listen to us. We are not against that law but he has to provide a land for these people before implementing such a law. If there is no land, there is a problem.

The civilian Joint Task Force that he introduced are inflicting pain on the Fulani herdsmen. They attack and seize their animals. They drag them to the nearest police station where huge amount of money is collected before they are granted bail.

This is the cause of this problem. If you attack a cattle herder and collect his cattle, he has no choice but to attack. The law is saying that herdsmen should not pass through the state even if it’s a route to another area.

In the past , if there was damage by the cattle , we had ways to settle the matter. When you damage a farm, you have to beg the owner , if they refuse, you pay for the damages.

This has worked for us for years till Benue State decided to implement the anti-grazing law. We have challenged the law in court and till court decides which way forward, Ortom will be held responsible for any further bloodshed.”

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Nasarawa State Governor, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura has described as uncalled and unnecessary for the anti-open grazing law implemented in Benue State.

The governor made his stand point on Friday in Lafia, at a meeting with the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, and stakeholders in the state.

He said:“I’m deeply shocked by my colleague (Governor Samuel Ortom) accusing me of camping militia in the state, those were very unfair comments, coming from a state governor. But, the onus of proof lies on the person who alleged. I want the IGP to look into the issue

“As the chief security officer of the state, I will give you all the support to unravel this allegation, I have never received any report as governor, of any camp or destination like this; this is bad stigma, it can spark up crisis.

“The Tiv people are bonafide citizens of Nasarawa state, they have equal rights and privileges, I will protect them until such a time the crisis subsists. Ninety-five percent of the IDPs we have in Awe are Tiv people.”

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has clarified that the establishment of colonies in states will in no way transfer communal land ownership to Fulani herdsmen wherever it is established.

Speaking through the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, the FG stated that it dropped ranching plans for cattle colonies because they are strategic ways of avoiding incessant bloody clashes between herdsmen and farmers in the nation.

Speaking after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, in Abuja,on Wednesday, Ogbe told reporters that cattle colonies would be established to forestall incessant clashes.

The minister explained government’s policy in separate meetings with governors of Plateau and Kogi states, Simon Lalong and Yahaya Bello, respectively, in Abuja, yesterday.

He said: “Cattle colony is not using Fulani herdsmen to colonise any state. It is going to be done in partnership with state governments that would like to volunteer land for it. The federal government will fund the project and those wishing to benefit from it will pay some fees,” he stated.

He said while cattle ranching is more of an individual venture, for herdsmen and those wishing to invest in the livestock sector, cattle colonies are larger projects where up to 40 ranchers can share same facility that will be provided by the government; at reduced rate.

He further disclosed that 16 state governments have, so far, provided hectares of land for the project, and also, sought the support of states in the area of Extension Officers who would be “recruited within the locality so that they can be in contact with rural farmers.”

The Catholic Bishop of Gboko Diocese, Benue State, Bishop William Avenya, has slammed the Nigerian government over its loud silence on the killing of Benue citizens by Fulani herdsmen.

The Holy Father said it was sad and unfortunate that after voting overwhelmingly for the current government during the 2015 general elections only for them to be rewarded with dead bodies of their citizens courtesy of Fulani attacks.

The Catholic Bishop of Gboko Diocese, Benue State, Bishop William Avenya, has slammed the Nigerian government over its loud silence on the killing of Benue citizens by Fulani herdsmen.

The Holy Father said it was sad and unfortunate that after voting overwhelmingly for the current government during the 2015 general elections only for them to be rewarded with dead bodies of their citizens courtesy of Fulani attacks.

[url]https://www.benuepress.com/2018/01/benue-killing-we-voted-for-buhari-but-he-rewarded-us-with-dead-bodies-bishop-avenya-says/
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