The Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom has said that Miyetti Allah vigilante group is not present in Benue State and will not, under any guise operate in the state.
Ortom said this while reacting to a statement from the Fulani socio-cultural organization, Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, which claimed that its vigilante outfit is embedded in the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, VGN and is already functional in 36 states of the country.
In a statement released by the Chief Press Secretary, Terver Akase on Tuesday, the Governor said that the vigilante group run by Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore and Vigilante Group of Nigeria can operate in other parts of the country, but will never be allowed to operate in Benue State.
The statement reads: ”The desperation being exhibited by Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore to float a security outfit across the country clearly shows that the group has an ulterior motive.
”After receiving doses of bashing from Nigerians against its first attempt, the pastoralist organization has decided to hide under the canopy of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria to actualize their agenda.
”What Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore fails to understand is that the Vigilante Group of Nigeria also does not have the constitutional right to operate in all states of this country.
”The notion that the group is registered with Corporate Affairs Commission does not vitiate any section of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to confer on it the powers to operate in every state of Nigeria.
”Vigilante is a neighborhood arrangement, not a national program. It is therefore a vain attempt by Miyetti Allah to try to force their security outfit on all states of the federation.
”As Governor Samuel Ortom stated earlier, the vigilante group run by Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore and Vigilante Group of Nigeria can operate in other parts of the country, except Benue State.
”Regarding the letter Miyetti Allah wrote to the Governor claiming that he maligned them in his statement against their plan to operate a security outfit in Benue State, the Governor’s lawyers will respond to the group.
‘We will not be intimidated or distracted by antics and threats of the Fulani socio-cultural organization.”
