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SOKAPU carpets Sanusi about commentary on Ortom
SOKAPU expressed concern over what it called a “deadly accusation” against Governor Ortom.
The deposed emir of Kano, in a recent video that went viral, is said to have attempted to raid Ortom with the unfortunate incident in Nasarawa state where some individuals allegedly Fulani herdsmen were killed in an airstrike.
However, in a statement issued by SOKAPU spokesman, Luka Binniyat in Kaduna on Friday, the southern Kaduna body questioned the orchestrated attack on Benue State’s mate, while the Nigerian Air Force admitted the accidental bombing of Nasarawa.
According to the SOKAPU, it was absurd and unfortunate for the former emir of Kano and the top Fulani elites to try to implicate Ortom in the incident.
It noted that it found curious and deeply surprising that Sanusi, who had portrayed himself as something of a nationalist, “has reduced himself to a narrow-minded champion of his tribesmen” in his desperate attempt to portray Ortom as evil to his Fulani kinsmen.
The group warned nothing should happen to Ortom, describing it as “a great son of the Middle Belt”.
The statement said: “The Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU) is deeply concerned about a well-packaged bouquet of deadly accusations leveled against a great son of the Middle Belt, Samuel Ortom – the indomitable governor of Benue State – by a very allied and powerful anonymous Fulani group led by the former Emir of Kano, Alh Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.
“Let it be clear that SOKAPU unreservedly condemns the killing of innocent civilians or any human being living in Nigeria, regardless of race, tribe, religion or region.
“South Kaduna has had more than it can handle from such atrocities, especially in the past eight years, so we know what mass murder of innocent, law-abiding citizens means.
“Sanusi exerts a lot of influence over the Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai. But el-Rufai continues to show a lack of capacity or will to protect or care for the people of Kaduna State, especially against the carnage inflicted by armed herdsmen, known as “bandits.”
“Why Sanusi decides to set his sights on Ortom in the faraway state of Benue (away from the scene of the killings in Nasarawa state), while Kaduna, his second home, flowing with the blood of innocent civilians after attacks by barbarian herders, smacks certainly to a worrying agenda against Ortom.
“Therefore, Southern Kaduna, which is a formidable part of the Middle Belt, would like to confirm that if damage befalls Ortom, we know who is to be held responsible.
“We stand in solidarity with Ortom and the people of Benue State.
“We also call for a full investigation into the Akwanaja bombing.
“We also ask that the same be extended to similar bombings that had taken place in South Kaduna.”