Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State in Nigeria has made several statements alleging that he has been targeted by Fulani Herdsmen.
He has accused some Fulani herdsmen of being terrorists and claimed that they have attempted to assassinate him on multiple occasions.
In January 2018, Governor Ortom claimed that he narrowly escaped an assassination attempt when gunmen believed to be Fulani herdsmen attacked him on his farm. In March 2019, he also alleged that there was a plot to assassinate him and that he had received death threats from Fulani herdsmen.
In July 2020, Governor Ortom Claimed that he was once again targeted by suspected Fulani herdsmen who opened fire on his convoy while he was on an inspection tour at a farm in his state. He alleged that the attackers were Fulani herdsmen who had threatened to kill him.
In January 2021, Governor Ortom once again accused Fulani herdsmen of trying to assassinate him after he survived an attack by gunmen while he was inspecting a project site in his state.
It is important to note that these are allegations made by Governor Ortom and they have not been independently verified. The issue of conflict between farmers and Fulani herdsmen in Nigeria has been a long-standing issue, with many cases of violence and loss of lives reported in different parts of the country.
The Nigerian government has been making efforts to address the issue through various initiatives, including the establishmentof a National Livestock Transformation Plan aimed at promoting peaceful coexistence between farmers and herders.
However, it is crucial to investigate and address allegations of violence and threats to the safety of individuals, such as Governor Ortom. It is also important to seek solutions that promote peaceful coexistence and address the root causes of conflicts between different groups in Nigeria.
