‘’Which law permits herdsmen to carry AK-47?”- Governor Ortom replies Bauchi Gov, Bala Mohammed
Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom has reacted to a comment by Bauchi state Governor, Bala Mohammed concerning Herdsmen carrying Firearms to protect themselves.
Mohammed had stated that the herdsmen have no choice but to carry firearms to protect themselves from the uncertainties of the forest as they do not get protection from the Government.
Reacting in a statement by his Spokesman, Governor Ortom questioned what section of the law supports Herdsmen moving around the country with sophisticated weapons.
“Governor Ortom wonders which section of the law the Bauchi State Governor cited to support herdsmen’s free movement around the country with sophisticated weapons.
He recalls that it was the same Governor Mohammed who once said on national television that a Fulani man is a global citizen and therefore does not need a visa to come to Nigeria and that the forests belong to herdsmen.
“Governor Ortom wonders if his friend and colleague in Bauchi State knows a thing or two about the horrendous activities of herders in parts of the country to warrant the emotional defence and justification that he has repeatedly put forward in their favour” the statement in part reads
Responding to Governor Mohammed’s comment that there are Benue people freely doing business in Bauchi and that they haven’t been asked to leave, Governor Ortom stated that Benue indigenes in Bauchi have been law-abiding and do not carry arms to attack their hosts.
He noted that Fulani as well as many other Nigerians residing in Benue, who respect laws of the land, also live peacefully with their hosts.
“The governor finds it unfortunate that those who are trusted with the people’s mandate and should ordinarily uphold truth and justice have chosen to mislead the country.
“He stresses the need for leaders to be cautious and retrace their steps which are capable of leading the country to anarchy” the statement read
there is no law that permit civilians to Carry fire arms and any body found guilty should be punished severely……
I thought denied that the headsmen do not bear arms? So now the truth is out, they are now trying to justify why they carry arms. When no law permits them to do so. It’s well
How would bauchi governor knows the horrendous activities being carried out by these herdsmen when their children are not in the country.
He is one of those supporting these evil herdsmen if not he won’t be saying rubbish that the herders have the right to carry AK-47 to protect themselves.