A former Minister for Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode has alleged that the attackers of Benue state Governor, Samuel Ortom are foreign-sponsored.
This is following the admission of the attack on the Governor by the Fulani Nationality Movement (FUNAM) on Sunday.
Governor Ortom was reportedly attacked by 15 armed men along Tyo-MU Makurdi/Gboko road on Saturday while inspecting his farm.
“Our courageous fighters carried out this historic attack to send a great message to Ortom and his collaborators: Where ever you are, once you are against Fulani long term interest, we shall get you down. This is a clear warning. We hope those who take us for granted will get the indisputable message,” the group said.
Reacting to the statement via Twitter, Fani-Kayode said FUNAM has international backing designed to throw Nigeria into chaos.
“FUNAM, who have claimed responsibility for the attack on and attempted assassination of Gov. Ortom of Benue state, is a foreign-based, foreign-sponsored and foreign-manned counter intelligence operation whose sole purpose is to destabilise and destroy Nigeria.
“They are closely affiliated with ISIS West Africa and often share intelligence and collaborate with them in joint operations. Though they do have a few local allies, in the main they do not represent the Fulani of Nigeria but only the foreign Fulani terrorists and their international backers who want to throw Nigeria into chaos, drive us into a civil war and cause us to slaughter one another so that they can come into our country in full force and pick up the pieces. They are a cancer that need to be cut out of our body politic.
“The attempt to assassinate a sitting Governor by this terrorist organisation takes this whole thing to a different dimension. Ortom must be fully protected and the Fed. Govt. must shut down FUNAM in Nigeria, declare them a terrorist organisation and arrest or eliminate all their members, friends & associates before they push us into an avoidable & horrific full-scale civil war.
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“The only other terrorist org. that has had the nerve and audacity to attempt to kill a Governor is Boko Haram who have tried to murder Gov. Zulum of Borno state.
“FUNAM must be viewed & treated in exactly the same way as Boko Haram& the full might & force of the Nig. military & FG must be unleashed against them. The murder of innocents has no place in a civilised society & those that unleash terror on our people must be utterly crushed,” FFK tweeted.
