Ortom has been vindicated – Group hails U.S. move to sanction Miyetti Allah

A group under the aegis of the Forum of Concerned Nigerians (FCN) has hailed the recent move by the United States House of Representatives to impose sanctions on the Miyetti Allah groups over alleged involvement in killings and human rights violations across Nigeria, saying the development has vindicated former Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom.

The U.S. House of Representatives, in a resolution introduced before the 119th Congress by Rep. Christopher Smith and co-sponsored by Rep. Paul Huizenga, urged the U.S. Departments of State and Treasury to impose targeted sanctions on individuals and organizations, including the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) and Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore.

The resolution, tagged H. Res. 860, called for sanctions against those responsible for “egregious violations of religious freedom” and “orchestrated attacks” on communities, particularly in Benue and Plateau States.

It also recommended that Fulani militant groups be included on the Entities of Particular Concern List under the International Religious Freedom Act, signaling a tougher stance against terrorism and religious persecution.

The FCN, in a statement made available to journalists, said the development was a “clear vindication” of former Governor Ortom, who had long warned against the activities of violent herder groups and the failure of the previous administration to act.

“History has once again vindicated Chief Samuel Ortom. For years, he cried out against the killings and displacement of innocent people by armed herdsmen, yet he was mocked and vilified. Today, the international community has seen the truth he spoke,” the group said.

The statement recalled that Ortom, during his tenure from 2015 to 2023, persistently called on the Federal Government to arrest and prosecute leaders of Miyetti Allah and other violent organizations such as the Fulani Nationality Movement (FUNAM) for their alleged roles in attacks on farming communities.

It said the Buhari administration ignored Ortom’s appeals and instead turned him into a political target, denying Benue State several federal benefits.

The group commended Ortom for his “courage and foresight” in enacting the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law of 2017, which it described as a landmark step toward restoring peace and order in Benue communities.

“Governor Ortom demonstrated true patriotism by defending justice and human life, even when he was isolated and attacked politically. The U.S. resolution has now validated his position,” FCN added.

The forum also urged the Bola Tinubu administration to emulate the U.S. position by revisiting reports and intelligence previously ignored on the activities of violent herders and their sponsors.

“Justice for the countless victims of herdsmen attacks in Benue, Plateau, Southern Kaduna, Taraba, and other states must no longer be delayed or denied,” the group said.

It further called on the U.S. government to speed up the implementation of visa bans, asset freezes, and other punitive measures under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act and related frameworks.

The FCN concluded by commending the U.S. Congress for “standing on the side of truth and justice” and amplifying the voices of oppressed communities that 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,” the group stated.