The Benue Advocacy Network (BAN) has raised alarm over disturbing videos circulating online in which suspected Fulani extremists issued death threats against former Benue State Governor, Chief Samuel Ortom.
In a statement released on Monday and signed by BAN President Enoch Bemshima Ortese, the group called on security agencies to immediately arrest those behind the threatening videos, describing the content as "disturbing and dangerous."
Explicit Threats Captured on Video
According to BAN, one of the videos shows two men identified as Fulani openly threatening the former governor. One man was quoted saying, "If we had killed this man, Benue would have been at peace. Let God put this one in our hands; let's finish him."
A separate video reportedly features another individual accusing Ortom of causing Benue's problems while praising the current administration for allegedly allowing Fulanis to live peacefully in the state.
BAN stated that these videos confirm ongoing plans by Fulani extremists to harm Chief Ortom, whose "only offense was standing firm to protect his people from invasion during his time as governor."
History of Threats Against Ortom
The advocacy group highlighted previous threats against the former governor, including a 2021 assassination attempt that was claimed by the Fulani Nationality Movement (FUNAM), who had openly declared: "Our intention is unequivocal: TO KILL HIM."
BAN condemned what they described as the silence of Fulani leaders and elites who "have continued to profile Ortom and blame him for resisting Fulani occupation of Benue lands."
Calls for Immediate Security Action
The group demanded the immediate arrest of those behind the threatening videos, noting that "they posted the videos themselves, so it should not be hard to trace and arrest them."
BAN also called on the Inspector General of Police and the Department of State Services (DSS) to enhance security around Ortom and his family members.
"The descendants of Usman Dan Fodio are known for monitoring their targets for as long as it takes. But what Fulani terrorists must understand is that they will have all of us Benue people who supported Governor Ortom and demanded the enactment of the law to ban open grazing to contend with," the statement read.
The group emphasized that "Ortom did what the people of Benue asked him to do, and he owes no Fulani terrorist an apology. He rejected the billions of naira they promised him, among other juicy offers, and refused to betray his people."
Additionally, BAN called for the deployment of armed security personnel along the Makurdi-Lafia road, where terrorists are allegedly targeting Tiv travelers, and urged Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule to help eliminate terrorist elements from border forests.
The threats come amid ongoing tensions in Benue State related to the implementation of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law of 2017, which Ortom championed during his administration despite significant pressure.
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