The Government of Benue State has banned the activities of Fulani vigilante group in its domain.
The ban, which is in response to the recent formation of the Fulani Vigilante nationwide, was announced by the state governor, Samuel Ortom, on Thursday.
The umbrella body of pastoralists in the country, Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, in July, announced the formation of the group in Abuja. It said the vigilante will operate in all the states of the federation.
National President and Secretary of the association, Bello Bodejo and Saleh Alhassan, said the aim of the security outfit was to assist security agencies in checkmating crimes such as kidnapping, cattle rustling and banditry.
But in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Terver Akase, the governor warned the organization against setting up such formation in his domain. He said his administration will lawfully deal with anyone caught in that regard.
“No Fulani group will come to Benue State where I’m the governor; you people know that it is a lie, they cannot come,” Mr Akase quoted his principal as saying.
“No room for vigilante group in whatever kind. When I confronted them, they said they would not use vigilante group of Nigeria. That one will not operate here.
“We have our own vigilante that operates here; we have community policing in which we are recruiting now and livestock guard that take care of herdsmen in active support with security men.
“So no single vigilante group of Miyeitti Allah will come to Benue State to make any noise here. For us in Benue State, we believe in the rule of law an we will jail them,” the Benue helmsman added.
