GOVERNOR SAMUEL ORTOM
Good day your Excellency, i totally sympathize with you and millions of Nigerians over the loss of lives at Kaduna -Abuja express way,I pray for God to intervene and save the lives of the victims that are still alive.
I decided to pen this down due to reports from our own people here in Benue, the incessant killings have lingered and still lingering without a stop or culprits being apprehended. How can people go to sleep without full assurance of waking up the next day, how do people loose all they have worked for in a split of seconds due to herders invading of their communities. Laws are made to protect the weak against the strong, if the Anti open grazing law is causing people their lives every now and then such a law should be erased and farmers allowed to peacefully live with herders, if the law must stay then there must be well defined structure to defend the people against the dreaded Fulani killer herdsmen.
Below are messages of attacks since the past few days, a Professor at Benue State University wrote this heart breaking message.
“Good morning my dear Faculty members”
It’s been a while. Just to let members know that my village and the surrounding communities are completely destroyed by terrorists.
My place is in Moon Valley, Mbaikyor Council Ward, in Kwande Local Government Area. Prof Ngutsave and others who attended my late father’s burial years back know the environment.
There has been consistent attacks for the past 8 years.
This time, precisely on Monday, 21/3/2022, the terrorists came using very heavy and sophisticated machine guns, burning houses, churches, schools, infact, everything that appears valuable. They are also killing people who could not escape fast enough.
As at yesterday evening (29/3/2022), they were closed to the settlement at the boarder with Cameron, popularly called ‘Joint Water’. The boys that have been repelling their advances in the past years couldn’t withstand the weapons being used now.
The communities (Ityuluv -my community, Injoov, Ugbe & Iyon) in Moon Valley are completely destroyed. The surviving people are dispersed to different places.
The Nigerian Army in Kashimbila, Taraba State are behind this since Kashimbila is the base of these terrorists. The attack this time was continuous from Monday, 21/3/2022, till today.
Efforts to get the State Government to respond did not yield the desired results. The communities are completely ruined.
This is for information.
While i was trying to deal with the painful information above, i came across an alert from a dear friend Kulas Terso who wrote that
“I am saddened by the last night vicious attack on Naka town in Gwer West LGA.
The attack, I have gathered started around 8pm when residents started hearing sounds of heavy gunshots close to Comprehensive College, Naka.
Information at my disposal has it that already about 4 lifeless bodies have been picked.
The attack, residents in Naka alleged was carried out by fulani militia.
This is sad”
Unconfirmed information regarding some sharp practices of the men of the Livestock Guards may also be a factor to consider, i understand they have some sacred cows that can go ahead with open grazing if you pay well while they arrest the animals of other farmers and will either convert or sale some and pocket the money then report a disproportionate figure in Makurdi. I am an indigenous herdsman and i ranch my animals with a very high cost which is painful but for the sake of other peoples farming activities i have to take the pains because i cannot do my private business at the expense of business of others.
Your Excellency Sir, the issue of farmers and herders is beyond media outings, after going on Channels Television to talk vehemently against open grazing, it is also good the way you have established Livestock Guard that you strengthen security defense for farmers else you are putting them in extreme danger.
I am pained over these incessant lives we are loosing daily, its painful and i pray God help you with the right decisions towards ending all these. The rains are expected and people will be in their farms working without guarantee of security. Government must protect lives and properties of her citizens else such government has failed.
Ogi Otor Bishop Ogi John
Public Affairs Commentator
Ohuhu Owo
Nigeria.
