Twists and Turns: ▪︎Ortom arranged attack to grab our land – Tiv community ▪︎We did it – Fulani group ▪︎I didn’t arrange it, it is all politics – says Ortom after seeing Buhari

Governor Samuel Ortom has said in Abuja that he has no reason to stage-manage his attack, because, as he put it, “those who are saying that, what benefit do I have to come up and say that I was attacked?”

But the Tyo-Mu community, through the Tyo-Mu Concerned Youth Vanguard, have an answer: the Governor stage-managed the attack to take their land.

Hear them in their statement on Tuesday: “We have no place to live; our inheritance has been razed down without compensation or prosecution of those involved in the crisis.

“There is no mechanism put here to prevent this dastardly destruction of lives and property up till now.

“Then we wake up to find out that Governor Ortom is purchasing the land. We feel that the alleged attack is to further frighten the people and scare them away from the area to pave way for the governor’s land-grabbing agenda.”

The Benue governor, attacked by people he said were Fulani herdsmen, waved off the community’s allegations, claiming it is all politics.

His words, while speaking with journalists, after a private meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari: “Well, that is the same politics I’m talking about. There is nothing of that nature.

“But it is amazing, even when FUNAM came out and even took responsibility that they were responsible for the attempted murder on me and some people are there to trying to doubt that. I find it difficult to explain that.

“I have no issue of land grabbing anywhere in Benue state. Ehen I went there, the entire community were with me, those who took me there, they took me there and they too have to run for their dear lives. So I don’t know where that one is coming (from). But let me say this: When people came out and took responsibility for the attack, people are talking. All that stuff. It doesn’t matter at all. I have people who have threatened my life (and have) reported them to security agencies. And I believe that the security agencies will apprehend them and prosecute. I have no land issue with anyone whatsoever.”

Recall that an anonymous group, styling itself the Fulani Nationality Movement (FUNAM), which members no one has claimed to know or seen, except through statements on social media for the past one or more, claims it was responsible for the attack on Governor Ortom.

It claims it missed killing him due to a communication error, but insists it will still kill him.

It said: “Our intention is unequivocal: TO KILL HIM. That mission will one day be fulfilled and very soon too,”

In a statement signed by one Umar Amir Shehu, the group long disowned by Sultan Saad Abubakar, himself considered the head of the Fulani race, said: “Yes. 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 Ortom 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.

“We warn collaborators working against Fulani people across Nigeria: WE SHALL GET YOU irrespective of your hidden place.

“We state clearly, any state or individual that opposes RUGA will be confronted. Any State or individual that opposes ranching, we shall get you. Speak against ranching and RUGA even on the internet: Our noiseless fighters shall find and fix you.

“In the next few months, FUNAM will carry out attacks on strategic human and material assets of States and Non State groups or individuals known for their anti-Fulani campaigns.

”We shall hunt you down in your houses, in your work places, in your car, in your streets. It’s a matter of time,” the alleged statement added.

In a statement, however, the Tyo-Mu Youth Vanguard, said Ortom had already acquired their land but never paid a dime.

President of the association, Vershima Tsebee.said the alleged stage-managed attack on the Governor was designed to send the community packing from the area.

Tsebee added: “What we have witnessed here for decades has been land crisis between Hyarev and Kparev. The last one led to the suspension of district heads.

“We were surprised to later learn that Governor Ortom came from the blues and bought the vast land for his private farm business when the people whose loved ones, houses and properties were destroyed have not been compensated,”

“The inhabitants are 100 percent Tiv-speaking people and predominantly farmers.

“Because they live on the bank of River Benue, they are noted for massive rice farming, cassava, potatoes, sonata beans, groundnut and yams.

“The people thus live on a large farmland that spreads to about 15 Kilometres with a large Fadama that spread to River Benue.”