BEVERLY HILLS, March 22, (THEWILL) – A Fulani Nationality Movement (FUNAM), claiming to protect its people’s ethnic interests, has claimed responsibility for what it says was an attempted assassination of Benue State’s Governor Samuel Ortom, who fled under a hail of gunshots while visiting his private farm outside the state capital.

“Our intention is unequivocal: TO KILL HIM. That mission will one day be fulfilled and very soon too,” the novel group said in a statement circulating at the weekend, which called the Christian Governor an “infidel.”

Ortom was attacked on Saturday on his farm at Tyo-mu village along Makurdi-Gboko road.

The governor had fingered the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) as responsible for the attack following his unapologetic anti-open grazing stance.

But in a statement signed by one Umar Amir Shehu, in which Ortom’s name was badly misspelt multiple times, FUNAM claimed that it planned to kill Ortom on Saturday, but its plan suffered a setback due to communication error.

The novel group vowed to assassinate the Governor ultimately, claiming that he stood against Fulani interest.

The statement said: “Yes. The Fulani Nationality Movement, (FUNAM) carried out the attack. We have genuine reasons. We acted on behalf of millions of Fulani people in 15 countries.

“It’s a case of vengeance against an infidel who has used his time and money, deployed in destroying the Fulani values and inheritance.

“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.

“Our intention is unequivocal: TO KILL HIM. That mission will one day be fulfilled and very soon too.

“Eleven of FUNAM operatives were involved in the attack. Ortom escaped today because of a slight technical communication error. Next time, he will not be lucky. We can assure him and his supporters,” the alleged statement read in part.

Apart from threatening Ortom, the group also sent weird warnings to southern states too, saying its assailants were coming for them too.

“We warn collaborators working against Fulani people across Nigeria: WE SHALL GET YOU irrespective of your hidden place.

“We state clearly, any state or individual that opposes RUGA will be confronted. Any State or individual that opposes ranching, we shall get you. Speak against ranching and RUGA even on the internet: Our Noiseless fighters shall find and fix you.

“In the next few months, FUNAM will carry out attacks on strategic human and material assets of States and Non State groups or individuals known for their anti-Fulani campaigns.

”We shall hunt you down in your houses, in your work places, in your car, in your streets. It’s a matter of time,” the alleged statement added.

In 2018, the group named FUNAM FUNAM had triggered some furore across Nigeria, when it claimed the Fulani are the owners of the Nigerian territory from Sokoto to the Atlantic.

Sultan Abubakar of Sokoto, the spiritual head of the Fulani, doubted the authenticity of the group and disowned its statement as reckless.

The group has made several incendiary statements thereafter, without any consequence.

In February 2020, the group in a statement by its President, one Badu Salisu Ahmadu, claimed a special Fulani strike force was responsible for the killing of 23 people in Plateau State in late January of that year.