Bandits as terrorists: Ortom deserves commendation not Buhari – Benue group tells Nigerians

The Benue Coalition for Democracy, BCD, has said Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom deserves full credit for the eventual declaration of bandits as terrorists by the Federal Government and not President Muhammadu Buhari.Recall that the Federal Government on Wednesday officially declared bandits as terrorists.

The gazette proscribing bandit groups in the North as terrorists was made on November 25, 2021 but was unfolded on Wednesday.

Signed by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), the gazette said henceforth, bandits will face trial under the Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2011.
Reacting, however, the group said Governor Ortom’s clarion call  for action to save the country from the hands of terrorists has been hearkened.

Comrade Ternenge Bendega, president of the group in a statement urged Governor Ortom to remain steadfast and not distracted by opposition.
The statement ads in full.
Our position is informed by the fact that when the Benue State Governor was busy drawing attention to the atrocious acts of bandits in the north central and other parts of the country, agents of the Buhari administration blackmailed, vilified and victimized him.

The Government of Buhari at some point asked Benue people to learn to live with the bandits also known as Fulani herdsmen whom they called “neighbours” of Benue people.

Now that Governor Ortom’s clarion call  for action to save the country from the hands of terrorists has been hearkened, we elect to commend him and urge him to remain steadfast. Governor Ortom has led this path before. It is on record that he championed the issue of ranching. Today, the whole country is singing the ranching anthem.

Governor Ortom has once again been proven to be a visionary leader who also has tremendous love for his people. We believe that the next time the Benue State Governor makes his views public on any matter of national interest, apologists of the Buhari administration will think twice before throwing jabs at him.

We must not fail to demand sincerity of purpose from the Federal Government as it concerns the declaration of bandits as terrorists. This action should not be another paper pronouncement. The military should swiftly move into all forests in the northern and southern parts of Nigeria to flush out the terrorists.

The present government is known for making pronouncements without backing same with actions. This time, we expect to see a difference with commensurate action.

Finally, we reiterate our commitment to the unity, security and prosperity of our great nation.