Herdsmen attack: Benue Reps accuse FG of lacking will to tackle problem

*Threaten self defense if attacks persist

*Seek arrest of Miyetti Allah leaders for inflammatory comments

The Benue state House of Representatives caucus on Friday accused President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration of lacking the political will end the persistent attacks by Fulani herdsmen in the state and other parts of the country.

Addressing journalists in Abuja on the need for the federal government to support the anti-open grazing law in Benue state, the lawmakers said the actions of the Buhari administration since the outbreak of the herdsmen vicious attacks is obvious that it lacks the political will to end the herdsmen/farmers clash in different parts of the country.

Spokesman of the caucus, Hon John Dyegh, said the government’s lack of will to end the skirmishes is the fact that no herdsman has been arrested and prosecuted for carrying out the various acts of murder and mayhem perpetrated by Fulani herdsman.

While advocating for support for the anti-open grazing bill from all Nigerians, Dyegh said that this is the only panacea for peace in Benue state.

“Lack of FG support for the law will mean they value animals more than human lives and an indication that Benue people are second class citizens in their own country.

“If we’re pushed to the wall, we will defend ourselves. Enough is enough,” he added.

According to the caucus, they decided to use the press conference to sound a note of warning to those who have vowed to violate the law and cause crisis in the state.

“It is also to draw the attention of the federal government and made a passionate appeal to the president to grant full support to the government of the state by giving a standing order to all security agencies to ensure maximum implementation of this wonderful piece of legislation,” he stated.

Furthermore, the lawmaker said that “You are not unaware of the carnage and massive destruction visited on the peace-loving people of Benue by heartless terrorists operating under the cover of Fulani herdsmen for some years now.

“While this lasted, economic activities in the state were almost grounded as people abandoned their farms and businesses due to the ravaging activities of AK-47 bearing herdsmen, who constantly invaded their communities, destroyed farms, property, maimed and killed indiscriminately.

“The people of the state lived in constant fear of being attacked, thereby forcing surviving victims of these dastard acts to abandon their homes.

“Our people are still living with the sordid memories of the massacre in virtually every nook and cranny of the state, particularly in Buruku, Guma, Tarka, Logo, Agatu, Gwer West and Gwer East etc. Thousands of lives and property worth billions of naira have been lost to these inhuman actions of these so called Fulani herdsmen.

“We hereby use this medium to draw the attention of the federal government to the threats from Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore and the unlawful activities of herdsmen who are violating the law and still openly grazing their cattle in Agatu and Apa Local Government Areas of the state.

“We decry the campaign of calumny against Governor Samuel Ortom by this group and want to declare our unflinching support for the governor in the implementation of this law.

“No individual is above the law and the Miyetti Allah cannot be an exception.”

Henry Omunu, Abuja