Group Accuses Atiku Of Inciting Herdsmen In Benue Attack 

The Forum of Concerned Nigerians has accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential aspirant, Atiku Abubakar for being responsible for the recent attack on Ukohol community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, killing 20 persons among them, children and a security personnel.

The group Secretary Samson Ochono maintained that the herdsmen were emboldened by recent comments made by Atiku.

According to a  statement on Sunday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Benue State Government, Terver Akase, Ochono in strong terms condemned what he described as coordinated genocide targeted at defenseless innocent citizens.

"It is obvious the Federal Government is complicit in these acts of terror.

"The insensitive comments of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar concerning the killings have also emboldened the killer herdsmen.

"Alhaji Abubakar, who holds the highest honorific chieftaincy title for non-Tiv indigenes, the Zege Mule U Tiv, during an interactive session organized by the Arewa Joint Committee in Kaduna was quoted as saying: 'I am angry with Governor Ortom for profiling Fulani as bandits and terrorists because I am a Fulani.

"Following the massacre of 36 persons in Gbeji by invading Fulani herdsmen, Abubakar also took to his Facebook page describing the killings as farmer/herder clashes. 

"He particularly insisted that for peace to reign, Benue people should integrate Fulani people into communities of the state, an unguarded statement which drew wide condemnation from Nigerians.

"The dastardly attack left several persons injured while hundreds of those displaced were seen fleeing on foot to the neighbouring town of Daudu with  few belongings on their heads."

The latest attack by armed herdsmen on Ukohol community is coming barely two weeks after similar attacks took place in Gbeji, a settlement in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.