The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has condemned what it called the pampering of Miyetti Allah Cattle Owners Association by President Muhammadu Buhari even in the face of the obvious fact that the activities of the group constitute clear and present danger to national security interests of Nigeria.

The rights group, which condemned weekend’s assassination attempt on the life Governor Samuel Ortom of the Benue, also condemned the communication by proxy of President Muhammadu Buhari in the face of the constant bombardments of soft targets by terrorists and armed Fulani militia all across Nigeria.

HURIWA has therefore asked President Buhari to speak to Nigerians directly in person and unfold the practicable panacea and measures being put in place by his government to deal with the increased threats of grave dangers to the lives and property of the citizens.

The rights group which spoke through its the National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, expressed disappointment that President Buhari has continued to tolerate the violent and terrorism tendencies of his kinsmen which is why the officials of the organized union of cow sellers have continued to issue threats to Governor Ortom and other governments across the country that have exercised their legitimate, constitutional and legal powers to impose bans on open grazing.

The rights group said the Miyetti Allah has truly become the agent provocateur that is out to cause civil war in Nigeria and the group has for the umpteenth time asked the government to declare the group, especially the faction that openly issues threats against different governors and endorsing killings of farmers, as a terrorist organisation.

“The violent attacks on the governor of Benue State at the weekend by suspected armed Fulani herdsmen is another dimension in the open threats made by officials of Miyetti Allah association. This faction of the cow sellers have indeed constituted themselves unto a law and their officials who openly endorse attacks and killings of farmers have never been arrested or prosecuted for their role in these incessant killings and Fulani insurgency.

“"These traitors are afforded the highest kind of security cover by the Federal Government of President Buhari even as it continues to cause maximum social disquiet and actively undermining national security objective of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“A year ago Governor Ortom had warned Miyetti Allah over inciting statements. The national president of the group, Abdullahi Bodejo, was said to have told governors to establish cattle colonies in their states or face crises. Ortom, however, said that anybody who foments trouble in his state would be dealt with according to the law.

“Barely one week after the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, representative of herders across Nigeria, apologized to Governor Ortom over the clashes between farmers and herdsmen in the state, another crisis has ensued. The reports had it that despite the initial apology by the herders, the group threatened that governors must establish cattle colonies or know no peace in their states.

“It was gathered that while reacting to the threat, Ortom, through his chief press secretary, said that the group was not above the law. He added that he would take necessary sanction against anybody who violates the law of the land.”

HURIWA recalled that the said Bodejo in the same media report a year ago, had singled out Governor Ortom for vilification, saying the governor has been playing politics with the open grazing prohibition and ranches establishment law to win sympathy and gain advantage."

The rights group said the Governor Ortom had said the statement by Bodejo was not only a threat to peace but also a prelude to another round of attacks on Benue communities by herdsmen militia.

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