By Abiola Olawale (The New Diplomat’s Southwest Bureau)
A Fulani group, the Fulani Nationality Movement (FUNAM), has claimed responsibility for the recent attack on the Benue State Governor , Samuel Ortom. The group which brazenly vowed not to relent until the governor is dead also vowed to kill any Nigerian that opposes open grazing or any Fulani interest in the country.
In a press statement signed by one Umar Amir Shehu, FUNAM declared that it planned to kill Ortom to send a strong message to all Nigerians who stand against open grazing and Fulani interest.
Ortom’s convoy was attacked on his way to his farm at Tyo-mu village, along Makurdi – Gboko highway last Saturday. But for the competent response of his security detail which repelled the attack, Ortom would have been the first governor in Nigeria to be killed by a terrorist group.
According to the FUNAM statement, 11 fighters and operatives attempted to kill Ortom, but the attempt was unsuccessful due to slight technical communication error.
FUNAM, which claimed to be acting on behalf of Fulanis from 15 countries, vowed that it would not relent until Ortom is dead.
The statement reads, “Our attention has been drawn to media reports today speculating about who attacked the Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom. Yes. Yes, We did. The Fulani Nationality Movement, (FUNAM) carried out the attack. We have genuine reasons. We acted on behalf of Millions of Fulani people in 15 countries. It’s a case of vengeance against an infidel who has used his time and money, deployed in destroying the Fulani values and inheritance. Our courageous fighters carried out this historic attack to send a great message to Ortum and his collaborators: Where ever you are, once you are against Fulani long term interest, we shall get you down. This is a clear warning. We hope those who take us for granted will get the indisputable message. Our intention is unequivocal: TO KILL HIM. That mission will one day be fulfilled and very soon too. Eleven of FUNAM operatives were involved in the attack. Ortom escaped today because of a slight technical communication error. Next time, he will not be lucky. We can assure him and his supporters.”
FUNAM, had issued several threats in the past.
In 2018, the Fulani group threatened to go to war if the Federal Government and the state governments failed to protect the interest of the Fulanis.
According to the group, the anti-grazing law, which has been signed into law in many state across the federation, is a plot to obstruct the freedom of the Fulanis to move and stay anywhere in Nigeria.
Similarly, during the #EndSARS protest in October, 2020,FUNAM threatened to go to war and took responsibility for the violence that marred the protest in Abuja.
