May 27, 2016

…As Tiv demand N100bn compensation Appalled by the scale of mass killings and destruction of property in Benue State by Fulani herdsmen, Governor Samuel Ortom, has accused the  Fulanis of plotting to establish a caliphate in the state.

This is coming as Tivs have demanded a N100 billion compensation for the killing of 985 people and sacking of 15 local government areas by Fulani  herdsmen.

Speaking at a at a public hearing of the House of Representatives Committee on Police Affairs, National Security, Intelligence and Public  Safety and Defence, Governor Ortom said the attack on Agatu which led to  the death of hundreds of innocent people was well planned and executed. He said government should rehabilitate and compensate Benue people, who have suffered incessant attacks by Fulani herdsmen.

“What happened in Agatu is better seen than imagined. We’re talking about a systemic takeover of a whole land of people. What happened in the North-East can’t be compared to what happened in Agatu. They made sure that they burnt down everywhere they go."

“Oweto, Ahila, etc., are completely wiped out. We believe that there’ll be a complete hunger next year. There appears to be a systemic movement of some people to Benue State to annihilate the people and establish some  kind of kingdom.

“We’re all witnesses to what happened in Mali sometimes ago, where some people tried to establish a caliphate, and from what we heard, when the people there chased them, they moved to Nigeria. They entered Benue from Taraba. We think this information is authentic because if you look at what happened in Agatu, it was well calculated. We believe that what is happening in Benue State is not mere communal clashes; it’s more than that”, he said.

President General of the Tiv Socio-cultural organisation, Mdzough U Tiv (MUT), Engr. Edward Ujege, who presented the demand on behalf of the  group, said that the attacks on Benue communities by herdsmen were deliberate and calculated. 

“The herdsmen have ransacked whole communities in Benue and other parts of the country, plundered, killed and chased everyone out; and are now comfortably settled on these lands,” he said.

http://pointblanknews.com/pbn/news/gov-ortom-accuses-fulanis-attempting-establish-caliphate-benue