TheNewsGuru

Tag: Benue

  • Benue massacre: Ortom begs protesting residents to avoid another loss of lives, properties

    Governor Samuel Ortom on Saturday appealed to protesters in some parts of Makurdi, the state capital, to remain calm and directed security operatives to restore order.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Makurdi residents took to the streets in peacefully protest, over the killings in Guma and Logo local Government councils.

    Gov. Ortom, made the call in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and ICT, Mr Tahav Agerzua in Makurdi.

    The governor strongly condemned the protests in some parts of the state capital and directed all security operatives especially, the Commissioner of Police Mr Bashir Makama, to ensure restoration of order in the affected areas.

    “The governor appeals to residents to remain calm and report any breach of peace to security agencies for necessary action.

    “The state has suffered too much losses in terms of human lives and property and cannot afford another round of crisis.

    “The Police should arrest those who cause trouble whoever they are, investigate the causes of the protests, and prosecute those responsible for breach of the peace,” Ortom directed.

    He assured Benue people that efforts would be intensified with the collaboration of the relevant security agencies to restore peace and order to all parts of the state.

     

    NAN

  • Benue massacre: We’ll raise an army if you cant protect us, Unongo tells Buhari

    A leader of the Tiv nation and the chairman of the Northern Elders Forum, Wantaregh Unongo, said if President Muhammadu Buhari failed in his responsibility of protecting lives and property of Benue citizens, the people would train their own army in the state for self defence.

    Unongo said this during the mass burial of the victims of the recent attack of the Fulani herdsmen in the state on Thursday.

    He recalled that a large number of Benue sons and daughters were among the contingents that fought the Nigerian civil war.

    “Benue people sacrificed blood for the unity of this country and will not allow a section of Fulani herdsmen to kill our people in cold blood.

    He said, “I am telling Nigerians that my people cannot continue to be cannon fodder for this country. If the government can’t protect us, we will mobilise and train our people into an army to defend us. We are 100 per cent in support of what Governor Samuel Ortom has done. I am the spiritual and ancestral leader of the Tiv nation; enough is enough.”

    Unongo stressed that the entire people of the state were watching President Buhari and had joined in the persistence calls by Ortom that the Federal Government should take drastic steps to urgently address the killings and also arrest the leader of Miyetti Allah Kautal Houre.

    “If the Federal Government cannot stop or arrest those behind the killings; in two weeks, we shall raise an army of our own. We cannot allow people to colonise us again, we have all it takes to do that,” Unongo said.

    Also speaking, a former military governor of Plateau and Katsina states, Maj. Gen. Lawrence Onoja(retd.), who described the killings in the state as genocidal conspiracy against the Benue people, emphasised that the killings must not continue.

    The Benue-born general said, “Some of us, in 1966, fought the Nigerian civil war; Benue has contributed to the unity of this country. If the Federal Governmrnt refuses to address the killings in Benue and if we decide to raise our army as advocated by our elders to defend ourselves, l will not mind to command that army despite my age.”

    He appealed to the government at the centre to replicate Operation Python Dance or Fulani Dance in Benue as being done in other states of the federation. He urged sons and daughters of the state to rally round the governor for the successful enforcement of the anti-open grazing law.

    A former member of the National Assembly, Senator J.K.N. Waku, maintained that the Benue people were known for peace, love and honour.

    He said, ‘’It is unfortunate that someone would oppose a law that is legally enacted and begin to kill and the Federal Government will refuse to make arrests to end the carnage. The provocation is enough; nobody has the monopoly of killing.’’

    Speaking on behalf of the Benue State House of Assembly, the Majority leader, Benjamin Adenyi, expressed sadness that Buhari came to Benue State during electioneering and after he was elected, he looked the other way while Benue people were being killed.

    A former governor of Benue State, George Akume, urged Buhari to declare a faction of the Miyietti Allah as terrorists, saying the action of its members showed they were terrorists.

    He appealed to people living in Benue communities not to take the law into their own hands, but follow the path of peace and reconciliation.

    The representative of the United Nations, Dr Mathins Ejibike, offered his condolences to the government and people of the state, saying what was happening in Benue required international attention.

    “We want an enlightened approach to this matter. We should pray that this killing should be the last in Benue State.”

    He stated that the UN had received a report that over 20,000 refugees were already in camps and promised that the body would look into their plight.

    In his speech, the paramount ruler of Tiv nation, Prof. James Ayatse, claimed that Tiv people residing in Nasarawa and Taraba states were being killed by Fulani herdsmen on a daily basis since the Benue killings started.

    “We must put an end to these killings. This is the 47th time that Fulani people would attack the Benue people.”

    The paramount ruler enjoined Ortom to continue to do the needful in his bid to bring peace to the state, saying the Benue traditional rulers were behind the governor.

    Ortom, in his remarks, said the latest killing was the most heartless.

    He said, “If the herdsmen think that the killing of our people will make us to stop the enforcement of the law, they have failed. We will not be deterred because I am ready to pay the supreme price for the implementation of the anti-open grazing law. I will continue to insist on the arrest of the factional leader of Miyetti Allah Kautal Houre.”

    Ortom rejected the idea of creating a cattle colony or grazing routes for herdsmen.

    He said the suggestions were not acceptable to the Benue people.

    He explained that the state did not have adequate land for farmers, not to talk of space for grazing.

    Also speaking, the state Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, Rev. Akpe Leva, commended the governor for signing the anti-open grazing law.

  • Benue Massacre: Tears, emotions as victims are buried

    Benue Massacre: Tears, emotions as victims are buried

    Residents of Makurdi remained mournful on Thursday as bodies of the victims of the herdsmen attacks of January 1 and 2 on parts of Benue were given mass burial.

    Government offices, commercial banks, markets and schools were closed in the state capital in observance of the work-free day earlier declared by the state government in honour of the victims.

    Governor Samuel Ortom had also declared three days of mourning for the victims of the attacks on communities in Logo and Guma Local Government Areas of the state.

    Some of the residents expressed worries over the incessant attacks on farmers in the state and said that the acts were unhealthy for an agrarian state like Benue.

    They told the News Agency of Nigeria that there was need for peace to reign for the growth and development of the state.

    Thomas Shima said that all hands must be on deck to address the crises, adding, “we are mourning today; we still don’t know tomorrow.”

    Mr. Shima appealed to the Federal Government to tackle the security challenges in the country more vigorously.

    Blessing Okoh noted that only God and the federal government could stop the killings and called for more prayers for the state and the nation.

     

    (NAN)

     

  • Saraki orders senate committee to suspend recess, probe Benue killings

    The President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, has ordered members of the Senate ad-hoc committee on security to immediately resume sitting to review the killings in Benue State.

    Mr. Saraki ordered the committee to work through the weekend to ensure they have an interim report ready for the consideration of members next week.

    This directive was made known through a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, on Wednesday.

    Gunmen alleged to be Fulani herdsmen have since the new year attacked and killed at least 50 persons in Logo and Guma Local Government Areas of Benue. The victims include security operatives.

    Mr. Saraki said the killings are clear indications that the security architecture in the country has inherent faults and needs to be refurbished.

    The statement quoted him as saying, “I believe the sad situation in Benue State shows some fundamental faults in our security system. There is clear failure of intelligence gathering, analysis and response time. Our security agencies must be totally overhauled in terms of equipment, specialisation, funding, training and staffing.

    “This is the reason why in November, the Senate set up a special committee led by Senate Majority Leader, Ahmed Lawan, to work with security agencies and review the entire system with a view to identifying what is required in terms of laws, process, procedure, funding and other necessities for us to have a solid security system which can be pro-active in identifying potential threats, responding to them on time and preventing any breach.

    “We are quite aware of the fact that security is the first and prime responsibility of any government. That is why since early last week I have directed the Lawan committee to take into consideration the sad developments in Benue and Rivers in their deliberations. Now, we cannot wait for the time they planned to conclude their recommendations. They must fast track their schedule.

    “They must sit through the weekend and get an interim report ready for the Senate when we resume plenary on Tuesday. We must immediately support the executive in solving this problem. We cannot afford shedding of blood and we are already moving into the election year with the potential for the aggravation or escalation of these problems. We must decisively resolve the problem of needless bloodletting.”

  • Benue killings: Police IG, Idris finally relocates to arrives Benue

    The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, has arrived Benue State, following an order from President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Idris arrived Makurdi, the State capital on Wednesday and was received by the Acting Inspector General of Police incharge of Zone 4, at the State Police Headquaters.

    A tweet on the official social media handle of the Nigerian Police Force reads, “INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE, IGP IBRAHIM K. IDRIS HAS ARRIVED BENUE STATE.

    “IGP Ibrahim K. Idris, NPM, mni has arrived Benue State. He was received by the AIG in charge of Zone 4 (Benue, Nasarawa, Plateau) at the Zone 4 Headquarters in Makurdi.”

    Recall that Buhari had ordered the Inspector General of Police to immediately relocate to Benue State to restore law and order, following killings perpetrated by Fulani herdsmen.

    Buhari gave the order on Monday night, according to a statement by police spokesman, Jimoh Moshood.

    The order came as more killings of innocent people by herdsmen in Guma and Logo Local Government Areas in Benue State were reported.

  • Benue Govt denies arming militia group against herdsmen

    The Benue State Government has denied arming militia groups to defend the people against the marauding Fulani herdsmen in the state.

    There were reports that troops of 93 Battalion of the Nigerian Army stationed in Takum, Taraba State, have arrested nine well-armed militia from Benue, claiming to be members of government sponsored security volunteers.

    The armed gang were reportedly arrested at Arufu, a boundary town between Taraba and Benue States.

    Reacting to the report, Tever Akase, media aide to governor Ortom said the story was false and misleading.

    He called on the general public to disregard report.

    “We read a news report insinuating that some youths arrested by the military at Arufu, a town between Benue and Taraba States are armed militia sponsored by the Benue State Government to defend the territory of the State against invaders.

    “We wish to state categorically that the Benue State Government under Governor Samuel Ortom has not recruited any militia group and armed them since the Governor assumed office.

    “Governor Ortom is widely recognized for his disarmament policy which brought the amnesty programme leading to the recovery of about 700 arms and ammunition with over 800 youths laying down their weapons to embrace the programme across the State.

    “It is also on record that the present administration inherited the State Civilian Joint Task Force from the previous government but later proscribed it.

    “Following the enactment of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law in Benue State last year, the Government set up Livestock Guards to help in implementation of the law. The Livestock Guards are not armed personnel. Their job is to ensure compliance with the regulation of ranches establishment and prohibition of open grazing of animals in the State.

  • Benue massacre: Ortom lied; killer herdsmen not camped in Nasarawa – Al-makura

    Governor Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State on Tuesday refuted claims by his counterpart in Benue State, Samuel Ortom that killer herdsmen on a killing spree in the state (Benue) are camped in Nasarawa State.

    Ortom had after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari in Aso Villa on Tuesday told State House correspondents that the killer herdsmen under the aegis of the Miyetti Allah cattle breeders are from neighbouring Nasarawa State.

    Ortom said the anti-open grazing law, which his administration signed into law last year had brought peace, until the herdsmen attacks.

    “And since we started the implementation, there has been relative peace among farmers and herdsmen; they were doing well until this militia coming from this Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, came and attacked us. And they are known, we know where they are. As I talk to you they are in Tongua in Awe local government that is where these people are camped and coming to attack people.” he added

    But Al-Makura swiftly denied the allegation, saying his state was not harbouring the killer-herdsmen.

    He said: “I’m really taken aback; this statement is most unfortunate. I will like to use this opportunity to say that there is nothing like that whatsoever. If anything, the Tonga that the governor is talking about in Awe Local Government is now the safe haven for displaced persons.

    “As I speak with you today, there are more than three IDP camps in Awe local government that quarters and caters for the number of people that have migrated from Benue to Nasarawa.

    “To be specific, they are more than 7,000 people that are camped in Tonga. So it’s very ironical that a place that is supposed to be an area that has become a safe haven for IDPs can now be called where militias are camped.

    “In that case, the militia don’t need to go as far as Benue. They have the prey within the vicinity of Tonga to attack. I think this is most unfortunate.” he said

    He added: “Yesterday, we held over seven hours of rigorous interfacing with seven governors, service chiefs and some ministers and all our security operatives within the states and around Benue, and my colleague could not tell me this, he could not approach me and give me an idea if there is anything that he saw or is worried about.

    “Besides, from all the discussions we had yesterday, there was no concrete security report stigmatising any part of Nasarawa State as habouring people that are coming to attack Benue.

    “I feel what should be of concern to us as leaders is the plight of the people and any of such statement that is inflammatory is likely going to cause more confusion to what is already there.

    “As it is, it is the implementation of the anti-grazing law in Benue that has caused the problem and now Nasarawa State is being infected by the problem notwithstanding that we are being our brothers’ keepers and good neigbhours.

    “I had to cut short my leave and come to find ways of helping my colleague. We have called all our security to meet to find ways and means of helping Benue and if all efforts we have done and with all the relief materials we have given and the protection to the IDPs that were created, that certain parts of Nasarawa State can now be stigmatised with this allegations is to say the least most unfortunate.”

    Al-Makura added: “We will still continue to render whatever assistance that we can give to the IDPs from Benue because we have some Tiv people that live in Nasarawa in virtually all the three or four local governments that share boundary with Benue State, we are duty bound as a responsible administration to cater for all.

    “And the Tonga he is talking about is a town within three states, that is Goa in Benue, Shanda, Ibi and there is River Benue besides them. So, anybody can fly through the River to go and attack in Benue. And don’t forget the obscurity of the wilderness and is very porous and anybody can move from any part to any place to attack any place.

    “So, as far as I am concerned, it is unfortunate there is nobody keeping anybody anywhere in Nasarawa State.”

  • News Hour: Gov. Wike releases names of suspected kidnappers, cultists, armed robbers in Rivers I TNGtv

    News Hour: Gov. Wike releases names of suspected kidnappers, cultists, armed robbers in Rivers I TNGtv

  • Benue massacre: Miyetti Allah cattle breeders responsible for gruesome killings – Ortom

    Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State on Tuesday accused the leadership of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, a group of Fulani cattle breeders in the country, for the gruesome killings of innocent souls in the state.

    The governor spoke on Tuesday after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja.

    “I had to brief him, he is also doing further investigation to know the next line of action. I believe that my request that the leadership of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, who had earlier threatened and I accused them directly, since June last year, I have been writing to the leadership of security agencies, that these people are a threat to our collective interest and they must be dealt with,” the governor told journalists after the meeting.

    “They must be arrested and prosecuted because we cannot allow impunity to continue to thrive. And of course threat and no action has resulted in this killing and I think that Mr. President will also do the needful to ensure something is done.”

    His comments come amidst reports of continued attacks in the state. On Monday, two policemen were killed by herdsmen who had earlier exchanged gunfire with the police, Mr. Ortom said.

    He said the officers were “slaughtered like goats” in Logo local government area, one of two areas at the centre of the crisis, while another officer was left badly injured.

    “And it is taking a different dimension. Just yesterday (Monday) in Logo local government, mobile policemen that were deployed to Logo to keep vigil to protect the people and the land; these militia came, exchanged fire with them, caught two of them and slaughtered them like goats — mobile policemen!” he said.

    “They shot another one, ‘machete’ him and left him in the pool of his blood but luckily he did not die. We have taken him to the hospital, we are treating him, the other one that was declared missing was found today (Tuesday).”

    However, the presidency on Tuesday insisted that President Muhammadu Buhari does not have a hand in the killings.

     

  • Benue, Rivers massacres: Presidency slams critics, says Buhari not in support of killings

    The Presidency on Tuesday warned critics attributing the recent killings in Benue and some other parts of the country to President Muhammadu Buhari’s support to desist as the president is always committed to the safety of lives and properties of Nigerians irrespective of religion or region.

    Several concerned citizens and stakeholders have accused the president of complacency in the killings that have cost hundreds of lives in the last two years.

    This was revealed in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu.

    Shehu noted that the president was “conscious of his duty to Nigerians, not least because he is held accountable for everything that goes wrong”.

    “He deeply sympathizes with the families and all the other direct and indirect victims of this violence. He is determined to bring it to a permanent end,” the statement said.

    Read the full statement:

    To find short term and long term solutions to frequent conflicts between farmers and cattle rearers, the Presidency is coming up with a conference of stakeholders on infrastructural and agricultural development to put in place a plan for immediate relief and long term plan for the expansion of agriculture in the country.

    The conference will tap into experiences and best practices to draw up a planned development 20-30 years ahead based on population and development projections and will take into consideration environmental impacts.

    President Muhammadu Buhari has been concerned about these conflicts each time he received those very gruesome pictures of mayhem from several parts of the country, especially as it affected Benue and neighbouring states. He is equally worried about some public pronouncements and finger-pointing that are, in most cases very unhelpful to peaceful coexistence of our diverse peoples.

    The President is conscious of his duty to Nigerians, not least because he is held accountable for everything that goes wrong. He deeply sympathizes with the families and all the other direct and indirect victims of this violence. He is determined to bring it to a permanent end.

    While there are many Nigerians who see the conflict between the nomadic herdsmen and peasant farmers as an ethnic problem, others point to religious differences and agenda. The President does not subscribe to such simplistic reductionism.

    President Buhari holds the view, as do many experts, that these conflicts are more often than not, as a result of major demographic changes in Nigeria. When Nigeria attained independence, the population of the country was estimated at about 63,000,000. Today the population is estimated at close to 200,000,000; while the land size has not changed and will not change. Urban sprawl and development have simply reduced land area both for peasant farming and cattle grazing.

    It is therefore both unfair and unkind, for anyone to keep insinuating that the President is condoning the spate of killings in Benue and other neighboring States.

    President Buhari has publicly condemned the violence at every turn. He is prepared to permit every possible step that can lead to the stoppage of the killings. It is on account of this he brushed aside an opinion that the federal government should challenge the constitutionality of the anti-open grazing bill. He wanted to give a chance to the State government to succeed in stopping the senseless killings.

    It will be recalled that as he did in dealing with the Boko Haram insurgency in northeast Nigeria, which required sustained action from the government before it was finally curtailed, President Buhari gave the relevant mandates to the country’s security agencies to put a stop to the Benue killings.

    The killings must stop and the security agencies have the President’s support to do this as quickly as possible.

    Whipping up hate may captivate the public and score political points on social media, but it will not bring an end to the crisis. Let every stakeholder instead sit down with the government and security forces and carry everyone along in finding an all-embracing solution.

    As a father, a military General and a statesman, President Buhari has maintained lasting relationships with Nigerians, Muslims and Christians among every ethnic group. It is also a known fact that the young people who trek the whole distance of thousands of kilometers tending the cattle do not own the cattle. In fact many of the cattle are not owned by Fulanis or Muslims. The point is that it is too simplistic to see the conflict as ethnic or religious.

    The President seeks the support and cooperation of all citizens and the media in particular, to join hands with his administration to find permanent solutions and not to aggravate or escalate tensions in all conflict areas of the country.