We shall assassinate you and other opponents of open grazing soon - Fulani Militia Group tells Ortom

Fulani Nationality Movement (FUNAM) has claimed responsibility for the attack on Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue’s convoy.

A statement titled, ‘Why we attacked Ortom,’ issued by Umar Amir Shehu, published by Ripples, confirmed that FUNAM attacked the governor on behalf of millions of Fulanis.

It is not clear whether the ‘special detectives’ deployed in Benue by Abuja are investigating the group, or the State Security Service has FUNAM on its watchlist. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has accused Mr Buhari of failing to rein in killer herdsmen on the rampage across the country.

Though considered non-existent or faceless, FUNAM sees itself as acting on behalf of Fulani people in 15 countries. In Nigeria, violent attacks in the first six months of 2020 exceeded the total recorded in 2019. Much of the violence was attributed to the Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Fulani extremists.

In February, Mr Ortom had accused Bauchi’s Governor Bala Mohammed of plotting to kill him in cahoots with Fulani herders. Mr Ortom said Mr Mohammed should be held accountable if anything happened to him, alleging he is part of a “terrorist Fulani organisation, terrorising Nigerians.”

The Global Terrorism Index 2020 (published by the Institute for Economics & Peace) noted, “Of particular concern is the increasing terror threat from radicalised Fulani in Nigeria, where there is already an ongoing violent conflict between herders and farmers.

On Saturday, Mr Ortom said herders attacked him on his farm near Tyo-mu, along Makurdi-Gboko Highway. The governor linked the attack to the state’s anti-open grazing policy, saying his government will not repeal a law adopted in 2018 against nomadic grazing because it has been popular amongst residents.

“Our attention has been drawn to media reports today speculating about who attacked the Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom,” FUNAM said in the statement.

Credit: People's Gazette