Taraba State governor, Darius Ishaku has denied arming militia group to attack Fulani herdsmen in preparation for open grazing prohibition law.
Ishaku, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs, Hon. Emmanuel Bello, denied allegations of having instructed the massacre of innocent citizens.
Ishaku noted that he had on several occasions called on the attention of the federal government when Fulani herdsmen attacked Ussa, Takum, Gassol and other communities of the state without a response.
The statement read, “There is no way the governor would set up such a force without someone noticing. How would he go about it when some of his closest political allies are Fulani? Can he arm a militia against some of the most powerful members of his inner circle without them crying out?
“It’s unfortunate that some people will just sit and fabricate stories for the purposes of causing mischief. At a time like this, we should learn to guard our statements to avoid rising unnecessary tensions in the country.
“The governor made several distress calls to the federal government over killings in some parts of the state by Fulani herdsmen, but he didn’t receive any response until the Mambilla crisis which received the swift response of the federal government.
“That was the reason why he called for equal treatment of all citizens in the country because the governor believes in justice and fairness and he told the federal government that all lives matter, and government must protect all citizens.
“The governor took over in the state at a time several communities were under siege. He was able to bring peace in the state and the open grazing prohibition law was just part of efforts to promote peace and security in the state as well as better the life of herders and improve cattle rearing business in the state.”
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