Governor Samuel Ortom of Benje State has reacted to claims by Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore that its vigilante arm exists in 36 States alongside conventional ones, describing the claim by Fulani socio-cultural organisation as tissues of lies.
The goveenor in a statement on Tuesday insisted that the Fulani vigilante group would not operate in Benue State, adding that, the authority was aware of their agenda which is being closely monitored.
The statement reads: “We read another tissue of lies from the Fulani socio-cultural organization, Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, which claimed that its vigilante outfit is embedded in the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, VGN and is already functional in 36 states of the country.
“We state once again that the Fulani vigilante group is not present in Benue and will not under any guise operate in the state.
“The desperation being exhibited by Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore to float a security outfit across the country clearly shows that the group has an ulterior motive. After receiving doses of bashing from Nigerians against its first attempt, the pastoralist organization has decided to hide under the canopy of vigilante group of Nigeria to actualize their agenda.
“What Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore fails to understand is that Vigilante Group of Nigeria also does not have constitutional right to operate in all states of this country. The notion that the group is registered with Corporate Affairs Commission does not vitiate any section of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to confer on it the powers to operate in every state of Nigeria.
“Vigilante is a neighborhood arrangement, not a national programme. It is therefore a vain attempt by Miyetti Allah to try to force their security outfit on all states of the federation.
“As Governor Samuel Ortom stated earlier, the vigilante group run by Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore and Vigilante Group of Nigeria can operate in other parts of the country, except Benue State.
The governor refuted claims by Miyetti Allah that he didn’t allow them to operate vigilante group in Benue, noting that they would be responded at the opportune time.
“Regarding the letter Miyetti Allah wrote to the Governor claiming that he maligned them in his statement against their plan to operate a security outfit in Benue State, the Governor’s lawyers will respond to the group.
‘We will not be intimidated or distracted by antics and threats of the Fulani socio-cultural organization.”
