The coalition of Fulani youth groups has warned Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State to desist from arresting innocent Fulani herdsmen in the State.
The convener, Aminu Saleh gave the warning at the end of a two-day emergency meeting organized by the coalition on Tuesday.
According to him, the meeting was organized to discuss the issues and complaints affecting Fulani herders and the proper methods of tackling them.
Mr Saleh noted that security challenges in the country could be averted when bias towards Fulani herders and other tribes is removed.
“It’s high time we removed hatred, sentiments, emotional feelings and prejudices against the Fulani herdsmen so that we can get to the root of our security challenges as a country and people and tackle it headlong for the good of all of us,” he said.
The group, therefore, warned news media against using the name ‘Fulani’ to qualify any crime or criminal, vowing to take legal action against any defaulting media outfit.
Citing instances of wrongful allegation against the Fulani herders, the group said: “Fulani herdsmen were blamed during the mass shooting that claimed the lives of many in Ozubulu Catholic Church, Anambra State.
“After police investigation the shooting turned out to come from two brothers that the community had feuded with over unfinished business transactions in South Africa.
“When the Benue mass slaughter happened, Fulani herdsmen were blamed and after the general election in 2019 Governor Samuel Ortom turned around to tell the public that the Junkuns and unknown bandits were behind the killings that took the lives of many innocent people in Benue State. The signboard was still in the graveyard. It’s very unfortunate.
“When a reverend Father was killed in Enugu, Fulani herdsmen were blamed until the real killers were caught and arrested.
“When Chief Odunkwe, the CEO of Sumec-Firman Generator was kidnapped and killed, Fulani herdsmen were blamed until after police investigation confirmed that he was killed by his own kinsmen.
“When Dr Fatai Aborode was killed in Igangan in Oyo State, Fulani herdsmen were blamed until few days ago when it was discovered that a Yoruba man was behind the gruesome murder.
“Popular Islamic cleric, Sheikh Tofeek Akewugbagold, approached Justice Moshood Abass of the Oyo State High Court seeking withdrawal of the case against the abductors of his twin children last year who turned out not to be Fulani herdsmen after investigation was concluded and the suspects were arrested and prosecuted in the Court of Law.
“Six people Ridwan Taiwo aged 30, Rafiu Mutiu 35, Olumide Ajala 36, Rafiu Modinat, 29, Bashiru Mohammed 33 and Opeyemi Oyeleye 25 had been arrested for the kidnap of the twin children.
“Popular Yoruba herbs producer, Oko Oloyun was suspected to have been kidnapped and killed by Fulani herdsmen, but investigation confirmed the killers to be Yoruba people working with him.
“Three weeks ago, Samuel Ortom told us he was attacked by Fulani herdsmen in his farm at Tyomu on the outskirts of Makurdi the State capital.
“While we are patiently waiting to find out the category and type of “Fulani Herdsmen” involved in the “attack” against him, alas we say Jack Robinson the police arrested three Junkun fishermen as the major suspects in the bastardy attack.
“The special advisor to the Governor of Benue State Col. Paul Ham confirmed the arrest when he contacted newsmen round the scene of the incident.”
