Herdsmen Attacks: Ortom Calls For Implementation Of NLTP 

Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom, on Thursday, advocated for ithe mmediate implementation of the National

Livestock Transformation Plan, NLTP, to address the incessant killings of farmers by Fulani herdsmen in the country in line with the recommendation of the National Economic Council.

The governor made the call during a virtual paper presentation on the occasion of the Correspondents Week of Nigeria Union of Journalists, FCT Council, monitored by Scudnews correspondent in Makurdi, Thursday.

He said all funds released for the implementation of the RUGA policy should be recovered and rechannel towards implementation of the NLTP .

Ortom further urged the Federal Government to direct the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to enforce Prohibition of Open Grazing Laws passed by various States of the federation.

“The Federal Government should abolish Open Visa policy and direct relevant security agencies to ensure full compliance with the ECOWAS Protocol on Transhuman. The Federal Government should immediately pay compensation to families of persons killed and whose property have been destroyed by armed Fulani herdsmen in various communities across the country.

“The Federal Government should publicly condemn the atrocities perpetrated by armed herdsmen, arrest and prosecute the leadership of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore and other Fulani Socio-cultural groups who have consistently admitted to the wanton killings and destruction of communities across the country.

“These include Husaini Yusuf Bosso (National Vice President of Miyetti Allah Cattle Herders Association), Badu Salisu Ahmadu and Umar Amir Shehu, (President and Secretary of Fulani Nationality Movement), Alhaji Abdullahi Bello Bodejo and Engr. Saleh Alhassan (President and Secretary of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore) along with their sponsors. Leaders and sponsors of criminal gangs, cultists, and militia groups must also be identified, arrested and prosecuted.

“The Federal Government should proscribe all militant Fulani groups as was done in the case of the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB), given that the Global Terrorism Index ranks Fulani militia as the fourth deadliest terrorist group in the world. Similarly, other extremist groups should be proscribed. The Federal Government should License Law-abiding Nigerians to bear automatic weapons in self-defense.

“The Federal Government should support the resettlement and rehabilitation of internally displaced persons as a result of herdsmen atrocities in all states of the country”, the governor  suggested.