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.”