A former member of Federal House of Representative representing Gwer East and Gwer West Federal Constituency of Benue State, Hon. Mark Gbila,has described the persistent Fulani attacks in Benue State as acts of historical retaliation.
The former two-term member disclosed this in an exclusive interview with MigrationWatch magazine recently in Abuja. Hon Mark traced the roots of the crisis to the Jihadist movements of the 16th century, asserting that the Fulani expansionist agenda, which began as a religious conquest was terminated by Tiv warriors. Hence, their persistent violent engagements in Benue till date.
“The Fulani attacks in Benue are an act of vengeance. historically, Jihad was stopped in Tiv Land. When they were trying to encroach into the southern part of the country, Tiv wiorriors stopped them and that’s the grouse Fulani people hold against Tiv people till date. They only entered Nigeria in the 16th century”,he said
“There is a genocide against Christianity. These terrorists have religious inclinations linked to Islam. They chant Allahu Akbar publicly. Even in the Chibok abduction, a Christian girl remains in captivity to this day.
Hon. Gbila also accused the Governor of Nasarawa State, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, of being complicit, stressing that the governor is harboring violent Fulani groups in Doma local government Area, According to him, video evidence exists of individuals who openly identified themselves as Fulanis living in Doma and who confessed to being involved in killings across Yelwata and other communities in Benue state.
“I have called out the Nasarawa State Governor publicly. He took one of our Tiv sons to court over issues that have been repeatedly proven that he harbors Fulani groups in Doma,” Gbila alleged.
“Where does Governor Sule get his intelligence from if he claims ignorance of the Fulani presence in Doma? These same people admitted to killing our people in Yelwata. Yet, after the massacre, he embarrassed himself and his state by donating paltry ₦150 million, a move I considered to be a guilt strip,” Gbila concluded.
Hon. Gbila also made a case for self-defense for communities under siege. This according to him aligns with the statement previously made by the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), who acknowledged that vulnerable communities needed to be armed for their protection.
“If I were the Benue State Governor, I would arm the people for their safety. The DSS DG himself said the inhabitants need protection. Self-defense is a legitimate principle when your life is under threat, you are justified to respond with equal force,” Gbila asserted.
