Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom has revealed that over 130 persons have been killed by suspected armed herdsmen across the state in ten days
The governor, who disclosed this after an expanded security meeting in Makurdi also announced the suspension of the operation of livestock guards who are saddled with the responsibility of arresting stray animals for two weeks.
He said the decision to suspend the operation of livestock guards was to enable the herdsmen who have flooded the state with herds of cattle within the stipulated time go back where they came from, adding that In case they don’t know, the security agencies who are leading them should tell them that there is a law prohibiting open Grazing in Benue.
While lamenting the alleged involvement of some young persons in Benue who are conniving with armed herdsmen to rustle cattle and sell them, the governor also alleged that some traditional rulers and stakeholders in some affected communities are not exempted in the unholy act even as he directed the security agencies to arrest anyone found guilty no matter how highly placed
He said, “I want to warn here that those of you who are conniving with the armed herdsmen to rustle cattle, we condemned this act and urge you to desist from the unholy act because I have directed the security agencies to arrest anyone found wanting, irrespective of status, tribe, religion and affiliation.”
According to Ortom, “I want to also commend President Muhammadu Buhari because the security agencies have just confirmed to me here in the meeting that his directives to ensure the arrest of the perpetrators of the recent massacre across the state have been communicated to them.”
“However, I want to call on the security agencies that the communication of Mr President should be back up with their action so that our people can live in peace and as well sleep with their eyes closed. So, for now we are waiting to see how this directives will bring peace in the state.
“In order not to join issues and create more problems, I have taking it that the herdsmen who have flooded the state with their cattle are not aware that there is a law prohibiting open grazing in Benue, so we have decide to step down the operations of the livestock guards for two weeks to enable them go back to where they came from so that our people will go to their farm unhindered.
“So, I am sounding this warning that no one should go after them to rustle their cattle and claim to be members of livestock guards or attack or kill anyone, because anyone caught perpetrating evil will be dealt with according to the law.”
