By Hassan Zaggi
The Benue Youth Forum (BYF) has described the threat by Miyetti Allah, a Fulani socio-economic group, to sue the Governor Samuel Ortom at the International Criminal Court (ICC) of Justice at the Hague, as an exercise in futility which will not yield any result.
Speaking at a press conference in Markudi, Monday, the President of BYF, Terrence Kuanum, accused the Miyetti Allah of the current unpleasant situation faced by most communities in the state.
He recalled that immediately after assenting the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law of the state by the Governor in 2017, “the herdsmen intensified attacks on Benue communities, killing hundreds of people, and displacing millions who are still in Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps.”
He further reminded the Miyetti Allah that: “We also want them to know that the crimes they have committed against humanity in Benue state and other parts of the country shall not go unpunished.
“They may be enjoying the sympathy and protection of some powerful persons in authority now; but that will not be forever, as they shall be brought to justice sooner or later.
“As the Governor and the entire Benue people have always reiterated, there is no land for open grazing in the state, so anyone who wants to rear cattle in the area should go through the normal procedure to acquire lands for ranching.
“We do not expect the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore to pretend not to be aware that the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law of the State is not targeted at any group or tribe; but seeks to prevent incessant clashes between farmers and herders.”
The BYF, therefore, called on security agencies “to rise to the occasion as threats such as the one made by the Miyetti Allah always come with renewed momentum from the killer-herdsmen as they continue their desperation to kill, main, displace and occupy our lands.
“We demand the arrest and prosecution of the leadership of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore for the attacks on Benue people.
“This group has proven time and again that it is responsible for the atrocities that armed herders have committed in Benue State in the last six years. Only their prosecution and punishment can assuage the pains they have inflicted on our people.”
The Youth Forum also called on Benue people to shun political differences, and put aside any kind of sentiments to support Governor Samuel Ortom as he stands up to our enemies and follows legal means to protect the state, insisting that, “the enemies of Benue state shall be put to shame in the fullness of time.”
While reacting to the allegation by the Miyetti Allah that the governor was misapplying security votes accrued to the state, the BYF said: “It is on record that Governor Ortom has done creditably well in different sectors such as agriculture, education, health and infrastructure.
“The opening of new layouts with township roads in Makurdi, Gboko and Otukpo is an example of the sterling performance of the Governor.
“Over one thousand primary school projects have been completed while other infrastructure are also being constructed in parts of the state by the Ortom administration.
“The Governor has also brought several initiatives to boost the agriculture sector and help our farmers to have value on their investments.”
The BYF President wondered why the Miyetti Allah that has caused the woes experienced by the Benue people will turn around to be advocating for good governance for resident of the state.
“It is also curious that the Miyetti Allah have assumed the role of demanding accountability from Governor Ortom when they know that the humanitarian crisis they have created in the state has thrown up huge economic challenges and financial stress to both the government and the people,” says Terrence Kuanum, the BYF President.
