Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom on Monday accused his Bauchi State counterpart, Bala Mohammed, of being a terrorist based on his utterances supporting herdsmen from carrying AK-47 to defend themselves. Governor Ortom who made this accusation while addressing journalists in Makurdi, Benue State capital said Governor Mohammed must be a terrorist for supporting illegal arms wielding by foreign herdsmen. “I wouldn’t want to be joining issues with my brother, friend, and colleague Bauchi Governor. But since he has continued to vilify, intimidate and blackmail me. It is said that silence is consent. I am compelled to respond to him. “I am beginning to think that my brother, the governor of Bauchi State is part of the terrorist Fulani organisation that is terrorising this country. “Why do I say this? This is the same governor who took the oath of office to protect the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This constitution does not leave room for allowing foreign herdsmen to come in without valid papers. “This is a man who says that a Fulani man is a global man and can come in from anywhere and enter Nigeria. It is quite disappointing to hear a governor who took the oath of office …maybe he should go back and check the oath of office he took to check maybe the constitution gives room for foreign terrorist Fulani herdsmen to come into Nigeria,” Ortom said. He also reacted to Governor Mohammed’s statement which says herders can carry AK-47 to defend themselves noting that “his recent outburst that Fulani herdsmen are justified for carrying AK-47 to protect themselves. I don’t know where the constitution of this country allows that.” The Benue Governor there called on Governor Mohammed to render an unreserved apology and learn from the provisions of the constitution that, land both territorial, forest, and aquatic, are vested on the governor of a state who holds them in trust, instead of indulging in inciting Fulani herdsmen against innocent Nigerians. Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State last week Friday defended his comment about armed herders, explaining that he used AK-47 as a figure of speech for protection. “It is a figure of speech to show you the despondence, the desperation and frustration and the agony that this particular person is exposed to by his own people, by his own tribe and by other tribes who have all seen him as a criminal and therefore, he has the inalienable right to protect himself,” the governor said during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily. Governor Bala Mohammed’s comment on armed herdsmen had earlier triggered a wave of condemnation from his counterparts and Nigerians alike, increasing calls for the prohibition of open-grazing. Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State and his Ondo counterpart, Rotimi Akeredolu, were quick to knock the Bauchi governor’s statement. Akeredolu had described it as uncalled for, arguing that it could further escalate tensions in the West African nation. “For what purpose? Bala Mohammed has even poured more petrol into the fire because his speech is unexpected of him. It will become very serious and nobody will be spared,” Akeredolu, a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), noted.

Troops of 82 division Nigerian Army have arrested 20 suspects said to be members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) made up of 16 men and 4 women and they have all been handed over to the Nigerian Police force. Col Aliyu Yusuf, Deputy Director, Army Public Relations made the disclosure on Monday while giving an update “on the activities of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) members”. He said, “Through its unreasonable demand for secession IPOB have continued to interrupt on the security situation in 34 Brigade Area of Responsibility. Col Yusuf said, “The activities of the threat elements have led to an increase in organized crimes such as Armed Robbery, Kidnapping and other sundry criminal violent acts. “Recently, there have been various attacks on civilians, Police and military personnel on check points and escort duty. “It is as a result of the activities of these criminal elements that appropriate superior authority directed the conduct of aggressive patrol within the general area to safeguard lives and property of law abiding citizens. “On Thursday 7 January 2021, following incessant robbery and killing of civilian and security operatives by suspected IPOB militia within Orlu Senatorial Zone, troops of 34 Brigade were deployed in Orlu and its environs to commence effective Patrol and dominance of the general area to forestall the activities of IPOB. “On Thursday 7 January 2021 own troops in conjunction with Nigeria Police conducted a Raid Operation of a suspected hideout of the Armed Group in Umutanze Community in Orlu Local Government. “An SUV Lexus 330 with Registration Number Lagos KRD 320 EY was intercepted with 5 occupants, suspected to be members of IPOB. On sighting own troops 4 of the occupants absconded, however One Mr. Freedom Udochukwu Nwachukwu was arrested and handed over to the Police for further interrogation. “On Friday 22 January 2021, troops of 34 Brigade in conjunction with the Imo State Police Command carried out raids in Okporo/Ezenta and Akata axis of Orlu Local Government Area to recover corpse of Police Officer killed by Member of IPOB. “During the raids operations, 1 IPOB member was killed and 1 Jeep Vehicle was recovered. Various IPOB Training Camp was discovered and destroyed. “On Monday 25 January 202, own troops were ambushed at Banana Junction, Orlu Local Government Area by members of IPOB while escorting Army Headquarters Team led by Director Civil Affairs, Brigadier General HE Nzan who came to inspect Nigerian Army Civil Military Cooperation Project at Nkwerre. “IPOB Militia attacked own troops and during the encounter, 4 escort soldiers were killed and 4 AK47 got missing. 1 Hillux Vehicle was recovered. “In a Similar Development, On Wed 17 February 2021, Based on accurate Intelligence Reports, Raid Operation was conducted in the Forest Close to Lilu Village in Ihiala General Area of Anambra State by Combined Troops of Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force and the Nigeria Police. “The Operation commenced with Air Strike at about 171750A February 21 from Mi-35 Combat Helicopter on confirmation of the IPOB Camp/Hideout, while Ground Troops engaged the escaping IPOB criminals. “Thereafter Troops exploited further into the IPOB Camp. The Militia were suspected to have escaped with their dead and varying degrees of gunshot injured members, taking advantage of the poor visibility during the preceding operation. “However 2 IPOB Militia were seen dead and troop completely burnt down their Camp. Items and Equipment Recovered from IPOB Training Camp include 1 AK47, 1 Local Made Pistol, 1 Dane Gun, 5 Local Cartridge Ammo, 2 IPOB Flags, 1 ESN Flag, 1 IPOB Sign Post, 1 Gen BTY, 1 Vehicle Battery, 1 Water Pumping Machine, 4 GD Black Belt, 1 Military Fragmental Jacket, 1 Mobile Handset, I Ladies Motorcycle, 4 Twine Rope, 1 Chain Saw. Items recovered were handed over to the Police Headquarters Owerri for further necessary action.

The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) has alleged that a South-West politician is behind the current security breach in the region. This was even as the forum vowed to expose the alleged sponsor if the attacks on the Northerners is allowed to continue unabated. The forum explained that its independent investigation had revealed that “a certain South-West politician and his associates, have been fanning the embers of ethnic and regional hatred as well as igniting mindless and senseless violence, especially in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.” Stressing that “his dirty political game is up if he fails to desist.” The AYCF, in the statement signed by its National President, Alhaji Yerima Shettima in Kaduna on Sunday, said its condemns in totality the violence, killings and arson in Ibadan but explained that it was improper to punish the innocent majority because of the sins of a few criminals. The statement reads in part: “Much as we condemn all crimes and criminals themselves, we cannot fathom why the action of a few criminals should justify any form of physical attack on majority innocent citizens and their assets in any part of this country.” AYCF further said: “All Nigerians are living witnesses to the role of the Northern political elite in stabilizing the nation, using the democratic system of supporting the emergence of presidents outside the North. Our philosophy of self-denial does not mean, we are not aware of our political strength. “When the South-West cried of marginalization over the annulment of June 12 polls, which the late MKO Abiola was said to have won fair and square, the North rallied behind the South-West, by giving their massive votes to Chief Olusegun Obasanjo in 1999 and he served for eight years. “The emergence of another president from the North, the late Umaru Musa Yaradua was shortlived but the Northern Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) joined hands with Southern progressives to form the Save Nigeria Group (SNG) that helped paved the way for President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan from the South to continue as the nation’s leader. “So, the North’s large heart in giving its total support for the emergence of political leadership outside the North should not be mistaken for weakness. ‘We cannot be stampeded into surrendering power just because of one man’s blackmail to fuel his 2023 political ambition. “The North is never such a weakling and let it be known that Northerners did their best in supporting the emergence of presidents from outside the region not because of political blackmail of ethno-regional profiling,” the group noted. The group also demanded that governors of the South West, notably the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, to ensure that compensation is paid to the families of those killed and the survivors of the violent attacks.