Concerned Nigerians hail Ortom as US moves to sanction Fulani militias

The Forum of Concerned Nigerians (FCN) has commended former Benue State Governor, Chief Samuel Ortom, for his steadfast warnings about armed Fulani militias, following the introduction of the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026 in the United States House of Representatives.

The bill seeks sanctions against Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore and the Fulani Nationality Movement (FUNAM) over religious persecution and mass atrocities in Nigeria.

The group praised Ortom for speaking out despite ridicule, isolation, and assassination attempts, describing him as a leader who put the safety of his people above political convenience.

In a statement, Andrew Longyem, President of FCN, reads below;“When Chief Samuel Ortom raised the alarm about armed Fulani militias and called for Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore and the Fulani Nationality Movement (FUNAM) to be designated as terrorist organisations, many mocked him. They said he was exaggerating and dramatizing the security situation. They said he was being political.
Ortom indeed stood alone, but he refused to allow his voice be drowned by those who hate the truth.

“Today, the United States House of Representatives has introduced the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026, a bill seeking sanctions against Miyetti Allah groups and Fulani-ethnic militias over religious persecution and mass atrocities in Nigeria.

“For years, Chief Ortom warned that the Fulani groups had “vowed and continued to cause mayhem in Benue State and other parts of the country.” He insisted that labeling the groups merely as “bandits” was not enough, that the real sponsors and organized structures behind the violence must be confronted.

“Ortom was vilified. He was isolated. He was declared persona non grata. He survived assassination attempts. He paid a political price. But he did not retreat.

“When it was not safe to speak, Ortom spoke. When it was not convenient to stand, he stood.
When others chose political correctness, he chose his people.

“Today, as global lawmakers move to hold these terror groups accountable, the world is echoing what Ortom said years ago.
This is not about politics. It is about courage, foresight and justice.

“Chief Samuel Ortom saw tomorrow and refused to mortgage the safety of his people for applause.

We salute a leader who chose truth over comfort.
We commend a man who stood firm when it was dangerous to do so.
We honour the hero of justice, equality and fairness.

“Let it be remembered that leadership is not proven in comfort, but in crisis. While others calculated political consequences, Ortom calculated the human cost, the widows created, the children orphaned, and the communities displaced. He refused to normalize bloodshed. He refused to reduce tragedy to statistics. He gave voice to the voiceless when it mattered most.

“True leaders are often vindicated by time. What was once dismissed as alarmist has now become the subject of international legislative action. What was once ridiculed as partisan rhetoric is now framed as a matter of global human rights concern. History has a way of rewarding courage, and today, history is recording Chief Ortom’s consistency.

“To those who doubted, the facts now speak. To those who betrayed, conscience now answers. And to those who still stand for justice, let this be a reminder: one courageous voice can shift a national conversation and awaken global attention. Chief Samuel Ortom did not just govern; he warned, he fought, and he stood his ground for his people.”