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Tag: Fulani

  • Presidency says Ortom unfit for office, accuses him of inciting hatred against Fulani’s

    Presidency says Ortom unfit for office, accuses him of inciting hatred against Fulani’s

    “As was the case in Rwanda where the then Hutu leaders of the country incited their countrymen against each other, claiming there was a ‘secret Tutsi agenda’ over the Hutu, Ortom claims there is a ‘secret Fulanization agenda’ over other ethnic groups in his state and in Nigeria. This is a copy of the language of Hutu Power – which falsely, and intentionally, accused the Rwandan Tutsi of plans to dominate the country.- Presidency

    The Presidency has accused Benue Governor Samuel Ortom of inciting ethnic and religious hatred, especially against the Fulani’s in his state, steering up a Rwandan-styled in selfish bid to to revive his (Ortom) moribund political relevance.

    In a statement by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, Presidency also accused the Governor of deliberately escalating the farmers/herders crisis in his State, thereby causing more deaths of the innocent.

    It, however, claimed that the Governor chose the path of festering ethnic and religious wounds among the people in the state because of an alleged exclusionist agenda against a particular ethnic group, which it said the governor is concealing in the Ranches Establishment Law.

    According to the statement, the said Ranches Establishment Law is a ploy to withhold rights and freedom from the targeted ethnic group.

    “Governor Samuel Ortom has few political principles. We can see this from the fact that he has changed political party five times during his undistinguished career.

    “Every time he feels the wind may be blowing in a certain direction, he follows it.

    “Unfortunately, for the good citizens of Benue State, the most dangerous direction he blows in today is that of sectarianism and ethnicity.

    “In an attempt to boost his sinking political fortunes, Ortom takes the cheapest and lowest route possible by playing on ethnic themes – and in doing so knowingly causes deaths of innocent Nigerians by inciting farmers against herders, and Christians against Muslims.

    “Specifically, Ortom stirs up hatred by targeting one single ethnic group in Nigeria – using language reminiscent of the Rwandan genocide.

    “As was the case in Rwanda where the then Hutu leaders of the country incited their countrymen against each other, claiming there was a ‘secret Tutsi agenda’ over the Hutu, Ortom claims there is a ‘secret Fulanization agenda’ over other ethnic groups in his state and in Nigeria. This is a copy of the language of Hutu Power – which falsely, and intentionally, accused the Rwandan Tutsi of plans to dominate the country.

    “This wicked talk is aimed at giving cover to his so-called ‘policy’ on the Ranches Establishment Law – which in reality is purely an act of denial of the law – intended to withhold rights and freedoms from one ethnic group alone, whilst inciting race hatred against them amongst all others.”

    The Presidency said the Governor is not fit for public office, expressing the hope that the people of the state would make a better choice in the next election.

    “These are not the actions of a man who should be trusted with running public services or holding public office.

    “For the governor of a major state in Nigeria to be politically driven by ethnic hatred is a stain on our country.

    “The good, and fair-minded people of Benue State deserve more than this, and we look forward to the next elections when they have an opportunity to restore its greatness,” the statement reads.

  • Despite curfew, gunmen kill six in fresh Plateau attacks

    Despite curfew, gunmen kill six in fresh Plateau attacks

    Gunmen suspected to herders have again attacked Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, killing five persons, despite the curfew.

    But the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has denied any complicity in the latest attacks, warning that Fulani should not always be linked to all attacks in the state.

    Also, the Plateau State government, which had imposed a 24-hour curfew on Jos North, Jos South and Bassa LGAs, has relaxed it. The curfew would now be observed from 6pm to 6am daily, beginning from today, Thursday, August 19, 2021.

    This notwithstanding, the assailants attacked Tafi-Gana village on Tuesday night, where they descended on their victims in their sleep.

    In another attack in Dong village, some gunmen also killed a resident, a development confirmed by leader of the community, Danjuma Auta, to newsmen.

    National President of the Irigwe Development Association, Mr. Ezekiel Bini, confirmed the killings on Wednesday, adding that the whereabouts of four other persons have remained unknown after the attack.

    He said: “Yes, it is true that five persons have been killed in fresh attack on us. We are now on our way to meet the governor over the continued killings in our communities of Bassa, despite the curfew by the state government.

    “They were killed right in their homes. Their corpses have just been deposited at the mortuary. Aside the five persons, four others have been missing.”

    The Military Information Officer of the Special Task Force (STF), Major Ishaku Takwa,could not be reached to respond to the recent killings.

    But in a statement by state chairman of MACBAN, Mallam Mohammad Nuru Abdullah, the association said Irigwe should be blamed for dehumanising the Fulani by abusing their human rights.

    He said, “Condemn what we describe as outright violation and abuses of human rights, through discrimination, dehumanisation, genocide, ethnic cleansing and brutality by Irigwe warlords under the instructions of their great warriors and leaders.

    “We condemn the incessant attacks and killings of indigenous Fulani herdsmen in our ancestral home by the armed Irigwe bandits. We are stressed and stretched beyond elasticity by the oppression of our people entrapped in Miango chiefdom. Therefore, we seek urgent intervention and actions from all walks of life.

    “The narrative had always been accusation against the Fulani over committing every attack under the sun. A press statement signed by one Danjuma Auta alleging that Fulani had attacked and killed five Irigwe persons at Tafi Gana village. This misinformation will never help us. The statement is meant to cause distraction from the real happenings.

    “The Iregwe should know that Fulani will no longer remain passive under such deliberate and sustained attacks on its integrity and dignity; we, therefore, call on government to stop this provocation and unwarranted insults,” he said.

    However, announcing the relaxation of the curfew, a statement by Governor Simon Lalong’sDirector of Press, Simon Macham stated that the decision was reached after the State Security Council meeting held at the Government House, Rayfield, yesterday, where the governor received briefings from the heads of security agencies and also reviewed the situation.

    In relaxing the curfew, Lalong warned troublemakers to desist from threatening lives and properties of citizens or be ready for a showdown with security forces that have been directed to be tough with anyone causing a breach of the peace.

    The governor expressed outrage over the desperation of criminals bent on causing mayhem in the state, as there were isolated attacks, which led to loss of lives and destruction of properties in some areas of Jos North and Bassa LGAs during the curfew.

    While the curfew was relaxed in Jos North, security agencies would mount permanent checkpoints in volatile areas; deploy more uniform and plain clothes personnel; and also observe the conduct of citizens round the clock.

    The governor reiterated that the prohibition on processions was still in force and anyone found violating the order would be dealt with according to the law.

    He urged parents and community leaders to prevail on their wards to maintain peace as the government did not want to be forced to always resort to curfews, which affect the economy and freedom of the people as well as the state as a whole.

  • JTF intercepts migrating herders in their hundreds

    JTF intercepts migrating herders in their hundreds

    The Joint Task Force (JTF) has intercepted a large number of herdsmen, believed to be Fulani, who have the intention of settling down in Kwara.

    The JTF is made up of personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Nigerian Army and the Police.

    In a press release on Wednesday in Ilorin, signed by NSCDC Spokesman, Mr Babawale Afolabi, the intercepted herdsmen were in large number.

    Afolabi said the herders, who were stopped at Erinle-Offa axis, were with some of their cattle and were heading towards the end of Kwara- Osun state boundary.

    He said the herders were on their way to Ajase-Ipo, a town in lfelodun Local Government Area of Kwara.

    “On Aug. 4, suspected Fulani herdsmen in their hundreds were intercepted at Erinle, a border town in Oyun Local Government Area of Kwara,” Afolabi said.

    He said that the herdsmen and their cows were on their way to Ajase Ipo, a town in Kwara with a large concentration of Fulani.

    “The suspected herdsmen were later led to Ajase-Ipo by the JTF where further background checks and profiling were been carried out by the appropriate security operatives,” Afolabi said.

    He, however, said that the herdsmen had been allowed to remain in Ajase-Ipo pending the time background checks would be concluded.

    Afolabi said that more security personnel had been deployed in and around the town.

  • Fulani herdsmen poised to strike in Southwest, Kunle Togun, Ex DMI boss now Amotekun bigwig warns

    Fulani herdsmen poised to strike in Southwest, Kunle Togun, Ex DMI boss now Amotekun bigwig warns

    Chairman Oyo State Security Network codenamed Amotekun Corps, General Kunle Togun (rtd) has warned Yoruba people to be security conscious because the foreign Fulani herdsmen in their midst are poised to make the big strike, any time.

    Togun, a former Director of Military Intelligence (DMI) and former Deputy Director-General of State Security Service (SSS), advised people to be prepared to defend themselves.

    According to the Oyo Amotekun boss, the foreigners have been penetrating localities in the region to monitor the environment over the years to pave way for the big strike.

    The strike, according to intelligence report, he said will be aided by local collaborators based on the belief God has given them Nigeria, especially, the Southwest as inheritance.

    Togun spoke after a lecture he delivered at an event staged by the Institute of Peace and Strategic Studies Student Association (IPSSSA) University of Ibadan.

    His lecture was entitled: “Security Challenges, The significance of regional security dimensions.”

    He said:“The foreign Fulani herdsmen have invaded South West. There is nowhere in the South West that they are not. They are there.

    “They are the Okada riders. They are the ones using wheelbarrows to sell carrots and other things. I said they are foot soldiers.

    “They said they have come in to take the inheritance given to them by Allah and that is Nigerian land, particularly South West.

    “So, they will still strike. I am not just screaming aloud. So, everybody has to be ready.

    “It is only a foolish soldier that would say he wants to die for his country. His death cannot help his country. You are to stay alive to help your country.

    “When as a soldier, you are sent to capture a particular place, they did not send you to go and die. If he gets there and scared them and the people run away, he has done what he supposed to do.

    “But if he was shot at and he fired back, he did not shoot to kill anybody, but to defend himself and keep himself alive, so that he can help his country.

    “For over 10 years, I have been saying it that the 10 local government areas of Oke-Ogun and the three local government areas of Ibarapa, both in Oyo State, have been saturated by these foreign Fulanis.

    “After that, they brought in their children, selling pepper, tomatoes, carrots and so on with wheelbarrows.

    “All of us are looking at them. You cannot say Amotekun will do everything. Members of the public must help with credible information.

    “My advice to the Federal Government is that they should support regional security outfits.”

    “Before Amotekun took off, this problem has been there. They have invaded all Yorubaland. These people are just starting the plans they already had on ground, not that they are just coming in.

    “And these foreign Fulani are still coming in. They have saturated already Yorubaland before Amotekun was established.”

    General Togun for many years have been drumming about the dangers of the foreign Fulani herdsmen in Nigeria, who invade farms and allow their animals to eat up crops and who also are ready to kill when the farmers complain.

  • FCTA demolishes Fulani settlement

    FCTA demolishes Fulani settlement

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) Joint Task Force (JTF) has demolished a Fulani Ruga settlement located very close to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

    Mr Ikharo Attah, Chairman, FCT Ministerial Committee on City Sanitation, who disclosed this on Sunday in Abuja, said this was due to contravention of sanitation regulations.

    He explained that the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, had expressed displeasure over the continuing contravention on in and out-bounds of the roads.

    Attah stressed that the Airport road was a major gateway to the city centre of the nation’s capital and therefore all occupants would have to comply to rules and regulations.

    He disclosed that the minister, who visited the affected areas two months ago with key stakeholders, had held consultations with both residents and community leaders to sensitise them on the need to remove all the contravention.

    He added that two months notice was given to the affected people, but no compliance was recorded.

    “The minister gave matching orders that the contraventions be removed. Since then, we have been collaborating with district heads of the affected areas, giving them notices and warning.

    “We have actually given them two months and there is no compliance and that is why we have come to remove the contraventions,” Attah said.

    He added that with the help of joint security task force, the tempo of the exercise would be maintained to ensure full compliance.

  • Fulani ethnic nationality suffering greater hate in Nigeria — Miyetti Allah

    Fulani ethnic nationality suffering greater hate in Nigeria — Miyetti Allah

    Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has stated that the Fulani ethnic nationality has suffered greater hate and blanket condemnation by most of the other tribes in Nigeria.

    MACBAN is the socio-cultural umbrella body of cattle breeders in Nigeria.

    Chairman of MACBAN south east, Alhaji Gidado Siddiki, stated this while reacting to the banning of open grazing by southern governors.

    He said Fulani cattle herders were highly misunderstood and have been poorly treated.

    According to him, the rising state of insecurity in Nigeria had increasingly fanned the embers of suspicion among the different ethnic nationalities in the country.

    “In recent times, however, the Fulani ethnic nationality has suffered greater hate and blanket condemnation by most of the other tribes in Nigeria.

    “Evidently, the major occupation of the greater Fulani which is cattle rearing has exposed the tribe to such ill.

    “But, the Fulani, or maybe I say the itinerant Fulani cattle herders are grossly misunderstood and have been poorly treated with this misconstrued impression others have on them.

    “They have increasingly continued to suffer under this cloak because they do not seem to have a strong voice to articulate their corporate responsibility and project their commitment to a commensal fellowship in a democratic republic that Nigeria presents.

    “Because of the nature of cattle rearing, the herders are more on transit and so always interfacing with multiple cultures amongst their host communities, they are equally exposed to the wanton camp infiltration by often migrant fellows who are criminally minded and who do not spare the law-abiding herders the venomous effects of their criminal acts for their lawless acts, the entire Fulani suffers odium, unfortunately.

    “I always insisted that the government and the statutory security and law enforcement organs of government should and must not shirk from their primary responsibility of securing the lives and properties of all law-abiding citizens of Nigeria.

    “Criminal of whatever tribe or Nationality in Nigeria, should be traced and appropriately neutralize for the greater interest of the society.

    “No singular group ought to be blamed for the failure of a system to protect and preserve the essence of its being,” he said.

  • [Trending Video] How Gumi connected us to Fulani man; we paid N800k – Kidnapped student’s mother

    [Trending Video] How Gumi connected us to Fulani man; we paid N800k – Kidnapped student’s mother

    The mother of a student abducted at the college of forestry and mechanisation in Afaka, Igabi LGA, Kaduna State, has spoken out about her efforts to secure her child’s release.

    Watch Video:

    Yesterday, there was a commotion in Abuja by the households, colleagues and loved ones of the other ones that are still in detention of the criminals.

    One of the parents described the attempts they have made to secure the release of their children in a video posted on Twitter by Roots TV.

    Recall the armed robbers kidnapped 39 students from the institution in March? The parents have been attempting to obtain their release since the kidnapping, but have been unsuccessful, which is why they are appealing to the government for assistance.

    The offenders have released 10 of the students, leaving 29 in their custody.

  • Police, NSCDC intercept four truckloads of Fulani, Bororo herdsmen in Kwara State

    Police, NSCDC intercept four truckloads of Fulani, Bororo herdsmen in Kwara State

    Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Kwara State, on Tuesday, intercepted and sent four truckloads of Fulani/Bororo herders and their cattle away from the state.

    According to reports, the herders had planned to settle in the Offa, Offa Local Government Area of the state before they were intercepted at Ipee town, a neighbouring area in the Oyun Local Government Area of the state.

    It was also gathered that the combined efforts of the men of the NSCDC and the Police in the state had led to the return of the herders, who were relocating from Ondo and Osun states, back to their base.

    In a report given by the NSCDC Divisional Officer in Oyun local government, Henry Bilesanmi, the Police led the herders out of the state with their patrol vans.

    According to the NSCDC report titled: ‘NSCDC and NPF in Ipee send Fulani Bororo back to base’, it said: “At about 08:00hrs of today, Tuesday, 4th May 2021, four (4) trucks fully loaded with Fulani/Bororo herdsmen entered Ipee township but unfortunately for them, people of Ipee and all the local vigilantes came out en mass to disallow them from entering the town with the help NSCDC officers in Ipee and the NPF who led them out with their patrol van.”

    Also, the Public Relations Officer of the NSCDC, Babawale Zaid Afolabi, said that the command received an information that herders from Osun and Ondo States had been moving in to Ipee town which shares boundary with Offa Local Government Area.

    “These herders were denied by Ondo and Osun States due to the criminal activities being carried out by the group. We also identified that herders came into the boundary loaded with four trailers along side the cattle wanted to settle in Offa.

    “On this note, security agencies in Offa intercepted and led them out towards boundary between Osun and Kwara States.

    “We advise the towns that border with Offa to be proactive and promptly raise alarm whenever they notice or suspect any strange movement.

    “They should be security conscious about bandits and also notify people around them and report to security agencies nearest to them,” Afolabi said.

  • Amotekun evacuates 42 suspected Fulani invaders in Ondo

    Amotekun evacuates 42 suspected Fulani invaders in Ondo

    The Ondo State Government Sunday evacuated 42 suspected Fulani invaders, who were arrested on Thursday by men of the Ondo State Security Network, Amotekun, at Okitipupa, the headquarters of Okitipupa Local Government.

    The suspected invaders, who are mainly from Jigawa and Kano States, claimed that they were brought to Ondo State for training as security guards.

    The invaders, who assembled in front of the Army Barracks, Okitipupa before men of Amotekun, were alerted, caused panic among the residents, who suspected that they were brought to attack the town.

    Addressing journalists before the people were moved out of the state in buses, the state Commander of Amotekun, Chief Adetunji Adeleye, who was flanked by the Commissioner for Information, Mr Donald Ojogo, said the government after profiling the alleged invaders, was not satisfied with their mission to the state.

    He said the government considered their presence in the state a security risk, adding that it could not take chances.

    Adeleye said: “In the last three days, there have been issues relating to the invasion of the state by alleged Fulani men in Okitipupa.

    “We monitored and we found out that they converged in front of the army barracks. They were there for a couple of hours and at that point we tried to find out what their mission is, but because they couldn’t give satisfactory explanations, we moved them to our local office first in Okitipupa to try to debrief them and from the debriefing at Okitipupa, we had to move them to the state headquarters for proper debriefing.

    “We found out that they are primarily from two major states, that’s Kano and Jigawa States. The mission that they claimed they came for, we found out that is not too clear and upon profiling, we found out that majority of them don’t even know how they got here. All they were told is they were going for training. Training for who, by who or whatsoever, they do not know.

    “But from detailed investigation, we were able to narrow it down to their sponsors. The sponsors happened to also claim that they belong to an NGO, that they contracted out the training to a consultant who was supposed to train their men. They said they were going to train them as security guards.

    “Right now, we look at them as security risk to the state, and at this point, we invited the sponsors, the head of the NGO and chairman of the board. They’ve also offered explanation. But we feel that we should let the people of Ondo State know that there is no crisis in Okitipupa Local Government.

    “The way it was portrayed was as if some hoodlums or militants had taken over.

    “We want to reassure the good people of Ondo State that we are firmly on ground in conjunction with other security agencies that there is no problem.

    “Haven’t debrief them, we intended to provide escort to lead them out of Ondo State back to wherever they came from.

    “As part of our discreet investigation, we found out that the so called consultant had been arrested in Delta State and I confirmed from the Delta State Police Command as at today that he’s still in their custody.

    “So, why we intend to release them on bail, we will release all these ones and ensure that they are taken back to their states.”

    Speaking on the matter, the state Governor, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, warned the people of the state against taking laws into their hands on any issues.

    Akeredolu, who spoke through the Commissioner for Information, Mr Donald Ojogo, said the invaders would have been lynched, if not because it was professionally handled by the state particularly, the Amotekun.

    “Ondo State led by Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu is not one that intends to take law into its own hands. The security situation we found ourselves in the last three days was a very precarious one.

    “If not that it was discreetly and professionally handled and well managed by officials of government particularly Amotekun Commander and SSA on Security, the situation may have degenerated.

    “As you also witnessed, none of them was molested. The situation would have degenerated to the extent of lynching and jungle justice. It was almost getting to that point when they were seen in a suspicious manner in Okitipupa but the governor had to rise up to the occasion to ensure that they were given to adequate protection so that jungle justice had to be avoided. That was one of the key points that was achieved in the last 72 hours. It was a very frightening situation.

    “What government is trying to do today is to ensure that the way they came to the state, they will leave the state safely, peacefully and unhurt, so that when they get to their various states, they will also testify to their state government and their people that the movement that brought them to Ondo State was an unclear one and the state government had to protect them and move them back to their state,” Ojogo said.

    The commissioner said Akeredolu had directed that no official of the state must issue statement or comment on security issues in the state.

    “The governor has directed that in any security situation we found ourselves, the first point of contact must be security agencies.

    “They are the only points of contact. Even me as Commissioner for Information and spokesperson of government is not authorised to speak on issues related to insecurity, no matter how insensitive it is.

    “As long as it is security matter, we do not want anybody to speak without proper authorisation,” he said.

    However, a new twist was added when an eyewitness expressed dismay that the alleged invaders could gather in front of the Army Barracks, for more than one hour without any action.

    He said: “In view of the security situation in the country, one would have expected the military men at the barracks to arrest the invaders if not before the arrival of Amotekun men they should have intervened when the residents of the town arrived.

    “These work that Amotekun is doing, the Police, Army and DSS ought to have played major roles.”

  • Killings: Presidency responds to Ortom’s ‘Buhari is only president of Fulani’ comments

    Killings: Presidency responds to Ortom’s ‘Buhari is only president of Fulani’ comments

    The presidency on Thursday night responded accusations levelled against President Muhammadu Buhari by the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom over the insecurity in the country.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that Governor Ortom had on Tuesday accused President Buhari working for the Fulani ethnic stock to take over Nigeria.

    While reacting to the recent killing of residents allegedly perpetrated by herdsmen in parts of the North-Central state, Ortom said: “What is happening now, to me, is very clear; Mr President is just working for these Fulanis to take over the whole country.”

    “His body language is what is being played out. The body language, the action and inaction of Mr. President shows that he is only the President of Fulani people; I have known this.”

    He also lamented that no fewer than 70 people have been killed in the last two weeks in three local governments in the Benue State.

    But the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, condemned Governor Ortom for blaming President Buhari for the deaths.

    Shehu berated the governor via a statement titled ‘Governor Ortom Only Sees The Problems Of Others, He Doesn’t See His Own,’ which he issued on Thursday.

    “The rising levels of incidents, especially the killings and violence in various parts of the country call for further collaboration with security agencies to curb its recurrence,” he said while accusing the Benue leader was politicising the killings.

    “The President expresses his condolences to the families of our dear citizens who lost their loved ones in the recent spate of killings in Benue State.

    “No responsible government takes pleasure in such events as the killing of the military and that of innocent citizens taking refuge in an Internally Displaced People’s camp.

    “President Buhari is deeply pained by the terrible acts of violence happening not only in Benue State but also in other parts of the country and expects that the law enforcement agencies will go to every possible extent to catch the perpetrators of these heinous acts and bring them to justice.”

     

    See the full statement below:

    GOVERNOR ORTOM ONLY SEES THE PROBLEMS OF OTHERS, HE DOESN’T SEE HIS OWN

    The President expresses his condolences to the families of our dear citizens who lost their loved ones in the recent spate of killings in Benue State.

    Furthermore, he states that the rising levels of incidents, especially the killings and violence in various parts of the country call for further collaboration with security agencies to curb its recurrence.

    He also states his disappointment and sadness to hear Samuel Ortom, the Governor of Benue State make a litany of accusations against his person and his government following the recent unfortunate incidents in the state.

    No responsible government takes pleasure in such events as the killing of the military and that of innocent citizens taking refuge in an Internally Displaced People’s camp. President Buhari is deeply pained by the terrible acts of violence happening not only in Benue State but also in other parts of the country and expects that the law enforcement agencies will go to every possible extent to catch the perpetrators of these heinous acts and bring them to justice.

    The lives of fellow citizens should not be desecrated by deploying them in political diatribe which unfortunately appeared to be the intent of the string of emotional attacks and blame laid at the doors of the President for those killings by Governor Ortom. President Buhari took an oath to defend the life and property of every citizen, a duty he takes seriously and is committed to ensuring.

    Those citizens regardless of their affiliations, who either incite, sponsor or are proven to be abettors of these atrocities will face the law squarely and be answerable for their crimes against our fellow citizens and nation.

    President Buhari continuously stresses that the strength of our country lies in our diversity in faith, culture, and traditions and attempts to sharpen the divide between northern and southern Nigeria, between Muslims and Christians, and between communities that have coexisted for centuries should be frowned upon and resisted. As Nigerians, we accuse colonial rulers of the policy of divide and rule. Today, it is our own leaders who put region against region, religion against religion, ethnic group against ethnic group and community against community.

    The future of Benue State and indeed that of the entire country lies in harmony and respect for the law, order, and the constitution. It is the only way to achieve progress and development.

    While the President will continue to keep security, police and the armed forces on their toes to be on top of their act in troubled parts of the country, the situation in the states will greatly be helped by everyone working together because that is the foundation on which progress and prosperity can be achieved.

    Benue under the Ortom administration ought to cooperate with the Federal Government in the implementation of a number of national strategies programs in addressing underlying issues militating against peace, progress and development. This can still get done when the interest of the people is placed above all other interests. A government voted into office by the people, should treat the people as its masters and not as its servants.

    Garba Shehu

    Senior Special Assistant to the President

    (Media & Publicity)

    April 29, 2021