Benue state Governor, Samuel Ortom, has accused the leadership of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, a group of Fulani cattle breeders in the country, for the strings of killings in the state.
Mr. Ortom said he had informed President Muhammadu Buhari of the group’s role in the killing of dozens of people over the last one week, and had disclosed the location of the attackers.
He spoke Tuesday after a meeting with the president in Abuja, saying: “I had to brief him (Buhari), and I believe that my request that the leadership of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, who had earlier threatened and I accused them directly.
“Since June last year, I have been writing to the leadership of security agencies, that these people are a threat to our collective interest and they must be dealt with,” Mr Ortom added.
The governor added: “They must be arrested and prosecuted because we cannot allow impunity to continue to thrive.
“And of course threat and no action had resulted in this killing and I think that Mr. President will also do the needful to ensure something is done.”
Meanwhile, President Buhari, who has faced criticisms for his handling of previous attacks, has appeared more forceful in the past week, mandating heads of security agencies to curtail the violence and directing the police Inspector General, Ibrahim Idris, to relocate to Benue.
A police statement said Mr. Idris is moving with additional five units of mobile police force making a total of 10 units deployed to the state.
Mr. Ortom insisted the identities and locations of the attacker are well known, saying they should be prosecuted.
