As Ortom urges Buhari to declare MACBAN, MAKH, FNM terrorists
With the federal government’s profiling of bandits as terrorists and resolve to use the Super Tucano jets to fight them, the United States has told the government that the use of the fighter jets must not violate international norms as articulated in the United Nations Charter.
Though it acknowledged the worsening security situation in Nigeria, the US urged the government and the military to combat insecurity with regard to human rights of Nigerian citizens.
The press attaché, US Embassy, Ms Jeanne Clark, said in a release yesterday in reaction to a statement by the attorney general of the federation and minister of justice, Abubakar Malami, that the Nigerian government had got an approval to deploy the jet fighters which were acquired from the US, against bandits troubling the northwest and north central parts of the Nigeria after the federal government officially designated bandits in the regions as terrorists.
Clark in her statement said the US government was, however, pleased that the Nigerian Air Force had used the A-29 Super Tucanos successfully against Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province.
“We are pleased the Nigerian Air Force has used the A-29 Super Tucanos successfully against Boko Haram and ISIS-WA. The sale of the A-29 Super Tucanos is governed by the US Arms Export Control Act, the Foreign Assistance Act, and other applicable statutes, and their use must conform with international norms as articulated in the United Nations Charter.
“The AECA applies to sales to all of our allies and partners and it generally cautions against uses that encroach on traditional law enforcement roles. We are proud to partner with the government of Nigeria towards shared goals,” she said.
Meanwhile, the governor of Benue State, Dr Samuel Ortom, yesterday call on the President Muhammadu Buhari to move a step further and declare all the Fulani socio-cultural organisations terrorists.
In a statement by his media aide, Mr. Nathaniel Ikyur, the governor applauded the president for heeding his call to finally label bandits wreaking havoc on citizens across the country as terrorists, but said “this is not enough.”
He called on the President to be bold enough to go a step further and declare Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore (MAKH), Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), and Fulani Nationality Movement (FNM) as terrorist organisations just as it has done to other groups”
“Though the federal government’s measures on bandits now seem strong, the security challenges will only be adequately addressed if similar hard position is taken on Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, MACBAN and the Fulani Nationality Movement who have vowed and continued to cause mayhem in Benue State and other parts of the country because of the anti-grazing laws.
“For us in Benue State, the law has come to stay. It is irrevocable. In fact, we have maintained our position that Benue State has no grazing routes, reserves or areas so whatever. It was enacted in good faith for peace and order in the state. It was done among other things to end the incessant farmers/herdsmen clashes in the state,” the governor said.
Besides, Ortom tasked the president to do all that is necessary to revamp the ailing economy and save citizens from poverty.
“Nigerians have absorbed enough hunger and misery in the hands of the All Progressives Congress (APC) misrule. Or is it possible that Mr. President is not aware that Nigerians are dying from his misrule?”
