NIGER DELTA MILITANTS GIVE FG 21-DAY ULTIMATUM

A coalition of Niger Delta militants, yesterday, gave the Federal Government a 21-day notice over herdsmen’s killings across the country, especially the latest development in Plateau State.

The ultimatum came as the National Caretaker Committee of the Fulani Socio-Cultural organisation, Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, also yesterday warned Benue and Taraba state governments against any plan to auction cattle and other livestock belonging to members of the group.

This is even as six persons were again killed in fresh attacks at Maraba Kantoma, Fan district of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State yesterday, while farmlands were destroyed as church building and houses were razed.

Benue State government, also yesterday, appealed to the Federal Government to move decisively against the leadership of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore and Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria MACBAN.

The government stated that since the group had openly claimed responsibility for the massacre in Benue and other states of the country, its leaders should be reined in.

The militants, who met at Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State, also asked the federal government to devolve power to states and regions to enable governors discharge their primary responsibility of protecting lives and properties in their states, among five other conditions, to forestall anarchy and further bloodshed.

They declared a 21-day mourning period for those massacred recently in Plateau State by rampaging herdsmen, and threatened to declare herdsmen and Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association enemies.

A statement by leader of the coalition, W.O I Izonebi, read: “As agitators with conscience, we take lives of fellow Nigerians sacrosanct as no amount of provocation will lead to the slaughtering of innocent Nigerians because of cows.

“We, therefore, declare 21 days of mourning for the innocent Nigerians killed in Plateau State by foreigners trained by late Gaddafi that are now masquerading as herdsmen, according to our President, Muhammadu Buhari. “We urge the government to do the needful before the expiration of our 21 days of mourning to avoid a total breakdown of law and order because it seems we do not have law, and government is unable to implement its primary responsibility of protecting lives and properties of its citizens.