Ortom Calls For The Proscription Of Militant Fulani Groups, Others

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has called on the federal
government to proscribe all militant Fulani groups and other
extremist groups as was done in the case of the Indigenous People
of Biafra (IPOB).
Ortom stated this, on Thursday, when he declare open the 2021 Law
Week organised by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Makurdi
Branch, in Makurdi.

Governor Ortom said given that the Global Terrorism Index ranks
Fulani militia as the fourth deadliest terrorist group in the world
the federal government should proscribe all militant Fulani groups
and other extremist groups should be proscribed.

He said the federal government should publicly condemn the
atrocities perpetrated by armed herdsmen, arrest and prosecute the
leadership of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore and other Fulani
socio-cultural groups who have consistently admitted to the wanton
killings and destruction of communities across the country.

He called on Mr. President to uphold his Oath of Office as
President of all Nigerians and to lead in accordance with the
provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
and be the President ‘for everybody and for nobody’ as well as
ensure equity, fairness and justice as enshrined in the
Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Ortom said Benue State vehemently stood against grazing routes
and any other policy under the guise of open grazing because
grazing routes were not only archaic but anti-development and
retrogressive.
He advised them to use the period of this year’s Law Week for sober
reflection over the future of the country especially how to make
Nigeria a better habitation for all.

“Nigeria is on life support and is running out of oxygen. All
hands must therefore be on deck irrespective of political, ethnic,
religious and cultural differences to ensure the resuscitation of
the country.”

Declaring the Law Week open, Governor Ortom noted that the
occasion is coming at a time when the country is faced with a lot
of challenges saying the theme for this year’s Law Week ‘Open
Grazing in Nigeria: Threat to National and Food Security. National
Cohesion and Sustainable Development’ is apt.

He said the NBA, Makurdi Branch had been a reliable partner to
his administration in ensuring quick dispensation of justice and
implementation of government policies.
“I must acknowledge the critical role played by the Bar in the
process that led to the enactment of the Open Grazing Prohibition
and Ranches Establishment Law, 2017.

“I wish to commend the security agencies and the judiciary for
their support towards the implementation of the Ranching Law and
the maintenance of law and order.
Ortom further called on President Muhammadu Buhari to keep to his
promise to recruit more security personnel to meet the overwhelming
security challenges.

Ortom who described peace as a panacea to sustainable
development enthused that the entire country had accepted the
ranching alternative, insisted that open grazing is inimical to
peace and tranquility and the cattle owners must fence or ranch
their animals for peace to reign in the communities.

Welcoming dignitaries earlier, the Makurdi NBA Chairman, Mr.
Justin Gbagir, said the disturbing trend of the activities of
militia herdsmen in Nigeria and the attendant security threat to
the corporate existence of the country necessitated the choice of
the theme.
Gbagir said the security architecture in the country was in
doldrums as all parts bleed uncontrollably as over 250 million
inhabitants, travel routes have become awesome for danger of either
being attacked and killed by militia herdsmen.

While praising the state’s Anti-Open Grazing Law, the Chairman
expressed confidence that at the end of their deliberations, they
will be armed with the necessary materials to take an informed
position on the issue of legislation prohibiting open grazing in
Nigeria.

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has called on the federal
government to proscribe all militant Fulani groups and other
extremist groups as was done in the case of the Indigenous People
of Biafra (IPOB).
Ortom stated this, on Thursday, when he declare open the 2021 Law
Week organised by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Makurdi
Branch, in Makurdi.

Governor Ortom said given that the Global Terrorism Index ranks
Fulani militia as the fourth deadliest terrorist group in the world
the federal government should proscribe all militant Fulani groups
and other extremist groups should be proscribed.

He said the federal government should publicly condemn the
atrocities perpetrated by armed herdsmen, arrest and prosecute the
leadership of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore and other Fulani
socio-cultural groups who have consistently admitted to the wanton
killings and destruction of communities across the country.

He called on Mr. President to uphold his Oath of Office as
President of all Nigerians and to lead in accordance with the
provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
and be the President ‘for everybody and for nobody’ as well as
ensure equity, fairness and justice as enshrined in the
Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Ortom said Benue State vehemently stood against grazing routes
and any other policy under the guise of open grazing because
grazing routes were not only archaic but anti-development and
retrogressive.
He advised them to use the period of this year’s Law Week for sober
reflection over the future of the country especially how to make
Nigeria a better habitation for all.

“Nigeria is on life support and is running out of oxygen. All
hands must therefore be on deck irrespective of political, ethnic,
religious and cultural differences to ensure the resuscitation of
the country.”

Declaring the Law Week open, Governor Ortom noted that the
occasion is coming at a time when the country is faced with a lot
of challenges saying the theme for this year’s Law Week ‘Open
Grazing in Nigeria: Threat to National and Food Security. National
Cohesion and Sustainable Development’ is apt.

He said the NBA, Makurdi Branch had been a reliable partner to
his administration in ensuring quick dispensation of justice and
implementation of government policies.
“I must acknowledge the critical role played by the Bar in the
process that led to the enactment of the Open Grazing Prohibition
and Ranches Establishment Law, 2017.

“I wish to commend the security agencies and the judiciary for
their support towards the implementation of the Ranching Law and
the maintenance of law and order.
Ortom further called on President Muhammadu Buhari to keep to his
promise to recruit more security personnel to meet the overwhelming
security challenges.

Ortom who described peace as a panacea to sustainable
development enthused that the entire country had accepted the
ranching alternative, insisted that open grazing is inimical to
peace and tranquility and the cattle owners must fence or ranch
their animals for peace to reign in the communities.

Welcoming dignitaries earlier, the Makurdi NBA Chairman, Mr.
Justin Gbagir, said the disturbing trend of the activities of
militia herdsmen in Nigeria and the attendant security threat to
the corporate existence of the country necessitated the choice of
the theme.
Gbagir said the security architecture in the country was in
doldrums as all parts bleed uncontrollably as over 250 million
inhabitants, travel routes have become awesome for danger of either
being attacked and killed by militia herdsmen.

While praising the state’s Anti-Open Grazing Law, the Chairman
expressed confidence that at the end of their deliberations, they
will be armed with the necessary materials to take an informed
position on the issue of legislation prohibiting open grazing in
Nigeria.