Benue State government has reacted to the Fulani herders’ attacks on its community, saying that the acclaimed leader of Miyetti Allah in Benue, Garus Gololo is a rabble-rouser seeking cheap publicity. In a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Benue State governor, Terver Akase on Saturday, said Gololo would always raise false alarm of cow rustling before attacks on citizens.
“Each time herdsmen attack a Benue community, Gololo would raise a false alarm that Fulani cows were rustled before the attack occurred. “His recent claim is that more than 2,000 cows belonging to herders were impounded by Livestock Guards and that many of the cows are secretly being killed in the quarantine unit.
“This is a tactic to divert attention from the heinous crime committed by the herdsmen militia. “Last night, armed herdsmen attacked Tarhembe village of Mbawa in Guma local government area killing three persons and leaving many others injured. “Perhaps, Gololo was privy to the attack, that’s why he spoke to the press a few hours to the killings. “Governor Samuel Ortom will never join issues with that man despite his constant verbal attacks on the person and office of the Governor.
“Recall that Miyetti Cattle Breeders Association, MACBAN and Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore already disowned Gololo, so he possibly can’t be speaking for those groups. He obviously represents himself.
“Sometimes he calls himself as an APC chieftain and at other times as spokesman for Fulani herders. The man is a crisis entrepreneur. “He is one of those who do not want an end to the killing of innocent people in Benue and other parts of the country so he can continue to market his “wares”.
“He has also claimed that the Governor is chasing Fulanis out of Benue for whatever reason only he Garus can explain.
“The man is a merchant of lawlessness and bloodshed. His likes thrive in an atmosphere of violence.
“People such as Garus hate to see peace. Now that Governor Ortom’s efforts are yielding results and the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law is being obeyed by majority of people, he and those in his league are restless and have resorted to sponsoring attacks in some communities.
“We advise our people to remain calm and not take the law into their hands. The State Government is committed to greater collaboration with security agencies to ensure that Benue communities are safer”, the statement concluded.
