Reps ask DSS, police to investigate ‘Fulani group’ over attack on Ortom

The house of representatives has asked the Department of State Services (DSS) and the police to investigate a Fulani group over attack on Samuel Ortom, governor of Benue state.

The resolution followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by kpam Sokpo from Benue and 10 other lawmakers during the plenary session on Tuesday.

Ortom had said gunmen suspected to be herdsmen attacked his convoy on Saturday.

The incident was said to have occurred at Tyo Mu along Makurdi-Gboko road while the governor was on a visit to his farm.

Moving the motion, the lawmakers lamented the rise in violent crimes and insecurity across the country.

They lawmakers cited newspaper reports, which identified one Umar Amir Shehu and a group known as Fulani National Movement (FUNAM), as claiming responsibility for the attack on the governor.

According to the lawmakers, the group has publicly declared “their unequivocal intention and mission to kill the governor, his collaborators and whoever is against the Fulani long term as a case of vengeance against an infidel”.

“Has used his time and resources and deployed same in destroying the values and inheritance of the Fulani,” the lawmakers said.

The parliament members said “the assassination attempt on Ortom of Benue state is an invitation to anarchy and glaring indication that the nation is drifting into a state of full-scale lawlessness”.

The motion was put to a voice vote and was unanimously adopted by the lawmakers.