The immediate past governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, has been vindicated following a move by the United States House of Representatives to impose sanctions on leaders and members of Miyetti Allah groups over their alleged involvement in killings and attacks in Nigeria, a group has stated.
The U.S. lawmakers, in a resolution introduced before the 119th Congress as House Resolution 860, called on the U.S. Departments of State and Treasury to place targeted sanctions on individuals and organizations, including the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) and Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, for alleged violations of religious freedom and attacks on innocent Nigerians.
According to the resolution sponsored by Rep. Christopher Smith and co-sponsored by Rep. Paul Huizenga, the call is part of efforts to ensure accountability for the persistent violence, killings, and displacement affecting communities, especially in Benue and Plateau States.
The decision has drawn attention back to former Governor Ortom, who had for years warned about the activities of violent herders and urged the Federal Government to take decisive action.
In reaction to the U.S. lawmakers’ position, the Forum of Concerned Nigerians (FCN) said the development proves that Ortom’s calls for justice and accountability were justified.
“History has vindicated Chief Samuel Ortom. The international community has now seen the truth he spoke years ago that Nigeria cannot achieve peace without holding violent herdsmen and their sponsors accountable,” said Andrew Longyem, Secretary General of the forum, in a statement issued on Thursday.
He added that the forum fully supports the U.S. Congress’s recommendation for sanctions. He urged the American government to swiftly enforce visa bans, asset freezes, and other measures against those responsible for sponsoring or participating in acts of terror. Longyem also called on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to act in line with the U.S. position.
“We also call on the present Nigerian government led by President Bola Tinubu to take a cue from this international stance by reviving all reports, intelligence, and recommendations previously ignored concerning the activities of violent herders and their sponsors. Justice for the countless victims of herdsmen attacks in Benue, Plateau, Southern Kaduna, Taraba, Southern Nasarawa and other states must no longer be delayed or denied.”
The forum praised Ortom for what it described as his courage, foresight, and patriotism. The forum noted that his administration’s Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law of 2017 was a step to restore peace in Benue State despite resistance from powerful interests.
“We salute His Excellency Ortom for his steadfastness, foresight, and sacrifice for the defense of humanity. We equally commend the United States Congress for siding with justice and truth, and for amplifying the voice of oppressed communities in Nigeria who have suffered in silence for too long. The time has come for Nigeria and the global community to act decisively against those who promote bloodshed under any guise.
“We expect the Tinubu administration to quickly find ways of ending the bloodshed and apprehend the perpetrators, and bring them to justice. This is the action Nigerians, and the rest of the world want to see.”
