Benue CP faults gov Ortom on exit order

COMMISSIONER of Police Benue State, Mr Bashir Makama has faulted the decision of Governor Samuel Ortom to evacuate Fulani herdsmen from troubled Buruku local government area of the State.

Governor Ortom had stated that Fulani herdsmen be evacuated from the state following the incessant attacks on Benue communities.

The police boss in an interview with newsmen yesterday in Makurdi at the Police Officers’ Mess kicked against the decision of the Governor, maintaining strongly that nobody has the right to ostracize anyone from any part of the country.

He added that the constitution of the country permits anyone to reside in any part of the nation, averring that this should have been done through persuasion.

“The constitution of Nigeria allows everyone to reside in any part of the country, if order is pronounced it is an infringement on the rights of the herdsmen”.

“The herdsmen would have been advised to leave. And if they see that the people are not receptive to them, they would have quietly left rather than push them out”, he frowned.

Makama assured that Police will do everything to comply with the directive as well as secure the lives of the people even as he advised them not to be apprehensive by fleeing from homes.

State commissioner Urban and housing who supervises ministry of information and Orientation, Mr John Onoja has said that the order slammed on herders to exit the state was meant for ‘armed herdsmen’.

The commissioner stated this while briefing newsmen at the end of the weekly state executive council meeting held yesterday.

Onoja explained that the evacuation of the armed herders cut across the whole state and not the troubled Buruku communities.

According to him, ‘I want to put the record straight that the exit order announced by the governor was meant for armed herdsmen, please, let us get it right’.

“The order of exit is across the whole state because it has become a menace in the state.