Benue State Government has kicked against a statement credited to Fulani socio-cultural association, Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore.
The group announced that it had established its security outfit called ‘Miyetti Allah Vigilante’ to operate nationwide.
Terver Akase, Governor Samuel Ortom’s Chief Press Secretary, in a rejoinder on Thursday, said Benue has not problem with their pronouncement.
He, however, declared that the vigilante will not be allowed to operate in Benue.
“As much as we do not have any problem with Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore floating a security outfit in other states, it is important to say that such a vigilante group will not operate in Benue State.
“Miyetti Allah has no constitutional right to establish a nationwide security outfit. Benue does not need the Miyetti Allah vigilante.”
Akase noted that the state government was working with conventional security forces and has already established a vigilante group at the state, local government and ward levels.
He cited the ongoing recruitment of personnel for community policing, disclosing that they will undergo trained as recommended by Inspector General of Police.
Akase added that the idea of running a nationwide vigilante group is a mere strategy by the Fulani body, “to elevate their nefarious and inhuman activities to another level.”
“They have repeatedly claimed responsibility for the killing of thousands of children, women and other vulnerable people in different states. Yet, members walk freely in Abuja and hold press conferences threatening to unleash terror on Nigerians.
“We once more call for the arrest and prosecution of officials of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, to end the spate of crime in the country.”
Benue urged the federal government to stop looking elsewhere for bandits who have been killing innocent citizens.
“Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore are coordinators of banditry in the country, and officials of the group reside in Abuja”, the statement concluded.
