The Benue State government has reacted angrily to claims by Acting Director of Information, Defence Headquarters, Brig Gen. John Agim, that politicians were using thugs as herdsmen to cause attacks on communities across the country.
Special Adviser to the Benue State Governor on Media and Publicity, Tahav Agerzua, said: “In case of Benue, on May 30, 2017, Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore held a press conference in Abuja and they said that the crisis in Benue was a struggle for the natural resources of the Benue Valley, that they would mobilize their kith and kin across the world to invade the state, take over the land after eliminating all the inhabitants.
“The governor, the House of Assembly and leaders of the state wrote a petition to the Presidency and all the relevant agencies but nothing was done.
“This people are regarded as sacred cows, so from January this year, that is what they have been doing in Benue State. So it is clear to us that the attacks in the state that started since 2010 are a well organised plan to take over the land of the state.
“The statement by the Defence Headquarters is an attempt to change the narratives of blaming the victims instead of the aggressors. And if you check Fulani history, all the places they are currently occupying now, is it Sokoto, Katsina, Kebbi and the rest were occupied by the local people but they went and took over the land.
“From their antecedents, this is what they had been doing. And I recall vividly that the ‘World Terrorism Index’ has rated herdsmen militia as the fourth most deadly.
“So from the statement of the Defence Ministry, from the Inspector General of Police and the Chief of Army Staff, these people are accomplices. They are supporting the herdsmen in their agenda to conquer and occupy Benue territory.”
Comments