Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, on Wednesday called on Fulani indigenes in Nigeria to speak out against the invasion of foreign Fulani into communities in Nigeria.
Ortom made the call when he played host to a delegation of Nasarawa State Traditional Rulers who on behalf of the state government paid a condolence visit to Benue State Governor.
The delegation led by the Emir of Keffi, Dr Shehu Chindo, was accompanied by other traditional rulers from Nasarawa State had paid visited the state to condole Governor Ortom and Benue State traditional council over the ‘hunting expedition’ embarked upon by the Idoma paramount ruler, Ochi’Doma, Elias Ikoyi Obekpa.
According to Governor Ortom, “Tiv people, Fulanis and other Nigerians had lived together peacefully until foreign Fulanis were allowed to move into the country unchecked to cause the current violence being witnessed in the country.
“It will be good if the Fulani speak out against the invasion of communities in Nigeria by these Fulani from foreign countries.”
Governor Ortom explained that the anti-open grazing law of the state does not discriminate against anyone but is a win-win for herders and farmers.
Leader of the delegation and Emir of Keffi, Dr Shehu Chindo, who also recalled his early days in Makurdi where he had his primary education, presented a condolence letter to Governor Ortom from the Governor of Nasarawa State, saying the news of Och’Idoma demise was an unfortunate incident for Benue, Nasarawa and the entire country.
