David Akachukwu
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The Benue Advocacy Network (BAN) has expressed serious concern over renewed threats directed at former Benue State Governor, Chief Samuel Ortom, allegedly by Fulani extremists.
The organization urged relevant security bodies to take immediate action by identifying and apprehending the individuals featured in widely circulated videos where violent threats against Ortom were made.
This concern was detailed in a press release issued on Monday and signed by the network’s president, Enoch Bemshima Ortese.
BAN described the video footage as both alarming and dangerous, emphasizing that such threats should not be ignored.
In one of the videos, two individuals identified as Fulani were shown making derogatory remarks and issuing threats toward the former governor.
One of them said, “If we had killed this man, Benue would have been at peace. Let God put this one in our hands; let’s finish him.”
In a separate video, another speaker held Ortom responsible for the state’s difficulties, while praising the current administration for fostering peaceful coexistence with Fulani residents.
BAN asserted that these videos are proof that there are ongoing plots by extremist elements to endanger Chief Ortom’s life.
According to the network, Ortom’s only ‘offense’ was defending his people against external aggression during his tenure as governor.
“Chief Ortom resisted attempts to repeal the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law of 2017 despite pressure from Fulani leaders. He refused to betray the people of Benue,” the statement said.
BAN also listed past threats and attacks on Ortom, including the 2021 assassination attempt claimed by the Fulani Nationality Movement (FUNAM), who openly said: “Our intention is unequivocal: TO KILL HIM.”
BAN criticized the ongoing silence from Fulani leaders and prominent figures, whom they accused of continuously portraying Ortom in a negative light and blaming him for standing against Fulani encroachment on Benue land.
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They stressed that the individuals behind the threatening videos must be arrested.
“They posted the videos themselves, so it should not be hard to trace and arrest them.”
Additionally, the group appealed to the Inspector General of Police and the Department of State Services (DSS) to enhance security for Ortom and his family members.
BAN issued a stern warning, emphasizing that the Fulani community should not assume they are the only ones capable of making threats or exerting pressure.
“We want to unequivocally state that the threats by Fulanis against Chief Samuel Ortom cannot be taken lightly. The descendants of Usman Dan Fodio are known for monitoring their targets for as long as it takes. But what Fulani terrorists must understand is that they will have all of us Benue people who supported Governor Ortom and demanded the enactment of the law to ban open grazing to contend with.
“Fulanis should not think they have a monopoly on threats and intimidation. Chief Ortom cannot be vilified and eliminated for doing what any good and patriotic leader would do for his people.
“Ortom did what the people of Benue asked him to do, and he owes no Fulani terrorist an apology. He rejected the billions of naira they promised him, among other juicy offers, and refused to betray his people.
‘Millions of Benue people are grateful to Chief Ortom and stand solidly behind him. No weapon fashioned against him by Fulani terrorists and their sponsors shall prosper,” the statement reads in part.
The group further called for the deployment of armed forces along the Makurdi-Lafia route, an area reportedly targeted by terrorists attacking Tiv travelers.
They also appealed to the Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule, to take proactive steps in clearing border forest areas of these criminal elements.
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Jonathan Nwokpor
