Benue gov rains curse on killers of his people

BENUE State Governor, Samuel Ortom on Monday rained curse on the killers of the 73 people in the new year herdsmen attacks on Guma and Logo local government areas of the state and those who abdicated in their responsibilities leading to the attacks.

Ortom who addressed opinion moulders, religious leaders, traditional rulers and political leaders at a stakeholders meeting held at government house, Makurdi, Benue State capital  Governor insisted that he did the needfuls to prevent the new year killings in the state through series of correspondence sent to presidency and law enforcement agencies.

According to him, “our offense is why did we make anti-open grazing law, immediately the law was made, the umbrella body of Miyeitti Alla, Kautal Hore went and challenged the law and threatened to mobilize to attack Benue.”

“When I learnt of this, I took it up and sent letters to the presidency and law enforcement agencies, to intimate them of the thread by Kautal Hore. I followed it up in October 31, a day before the implementation of the new law with a visit to the appropriate quarters and nothing was done.”

“Like I said during the memorial service, I will repeat it again, all those who failed to act as at when due to that could have stopped the killings and the killers will one day account for the blood of our lost ones.”

While reacting to a media report of the arrested ISIS responsible for attacks on Benue, the governor challenged security agencies particularly the Directorate of State Security, DSS not to waste time in prosecuting the Islamic fighters to serve as a deterrent to others.

He also said that another five(5) herdsmen were arrested on Sunday by the Police in Guma local government area of the state.

Governor Ortom who said he could not be cowed with intimidation in some quarters said that some people had called him to stop talking and that he over-dramatized the incident in Benue insisted that there was no going back in the anti-open grazing law.

It was also revealed at the stakeholders meeting of the influx of herdsmen and their cattle into some parts of the state, particularly, Agatu.

This, according to former minister of state for Education under Yar’ Adua administration, Professor Jerry Agada who spoke at the stakeholders meeting hinted of the influx of herdsmen and their cattle which has heightened tension in Agatu local government area of the state.

Also the leaders of the socio-cultural group in the state which Mudzough U Tiv, Idoma National Forum and On’yi Igede gave an ultimatum to the state Governor, Samuel Ortom and the State Council of Traditional  Rulers to prepare to back out of all activities of the northern region.

Speaking at the stakeholders  meeting, Chief Edward Ujege and Chief Ode Enyi who spoke  on behalf of the socio-cultural group at the stakeholders meeting held in government house, Makurdi lamented that instead  of the northern governors who paid condolence visit to the state last Friday  to have commensurate with the people rather  displayed arrogance which he said shows they only came to dance on the grave of their loved ones.

“We have decided as the socio-cultural group in the state to review our relationship with Northern Nigeria, we had earlier given 21 days ultimatum to the governor and our royal fathers to liaise with their counterparts in the north to come and apologize for the genocide on our land, or else we are pulling out of Northern Nigeria”.

The socio-cultural group which applauded the hands of fellowship extended to the state by the socio cultural groups in the south which comprises of Afenifere, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Middle Belt and South South Forum said that they have thrown their weight behind the restructuring of the state.

“We thank our brothers in the South who visited the state to commensurate with us over the death of our sons and daughter mercilessly killed by the senseless herdsmen, we have no faith in the country called Nigeria unless the nation is restructured along side state police.”