Nasarawa Killings: All air strikes masterminded from Makurdi, Sanusi replies Ortom

The 14th Emir of Kano and Grand-Khalifa of Tijjaniyya, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has responded to the allegation levelled against him by Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State.

On Thursday, Ortom had alleged that some personalities led by Sanusi were attempting to set him up for attacks over the killing of herders in Nasarawa.

Ortom said he was accused of being behind the airstrike that claimed the lives of herders in Kwateri, a community between Benue and Nasarawa states.

But in an interview with BBC Hausa, Sanusi said Fulbe Global which is a coalition of pastoralists’ leadership is not a murderer group rather it protects Fulani culture, restore good morals known with pastoralists, fight for their rights while dealing with recalcitrant in the group.

He accused Governor Ortom of working against pastoralists by establishing anti-grazing laws as well as setting up a state militia who target pastoralists.

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He said, “Governor Ortom is the one who came with a legislation that outlaws Fulani from grazing and established Benue Livestock Guards and armed them. They have killed Fulani. They confiscated their cattle. They extorted and oppressed them. This is not a mere allegation.

“I, alongside Lamidon Adamawa and late Ahmed Joda had a meeting with Vice President, the then IG, Idris and Minister of Agriculture Audu Ogbeh where I presented a document to the attendants revealing that Benue state government would train these ranchers (Livestock Guards) how to use firearms which violates Nigerian laws. The federal government is not unaware about this but couldn’t do anything.

“These people were armed and they killed innocents and impounded their cattle. The recent incident in Nasarawa was not the first of its kind. This is almost the fifth time they have shelled bombs on these people in Nasarawa. Neither the Nasarawa state governor nor the traditional rulers raised alarm that there were terrorists in their domain, let’s bombard them.