Herdsmen killings: Ortom says more security have been deployed to Benue

Governor Samuel Ortom yesterday stormed the state house of assembly to brief the members how he has been tackling the killings in the state.

Recalled that the house had last Wednesday summoned the governor to appear before it to brief the members how he has handled the killings in the state.

Appearing before the house, the governor informed members on that Federal Government has deployed more security men to the state.

According to him, a  combined team of security agents have been deployed to contain herdsmen attacks on Benue communities, in the state.

Ortom in his explanation said that the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai was already in the state touring flashpoints in parts of the state including Logo, Guma and Katsina-Ala Local Government Areas with a view to flushing out the marauders.

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The governor told the house that additional joint forces coordinated by defense headquarters were in the state to address the security challenges.

He explained that the anti-open grazing law which was enacted in the state was as a result of the demand of the people of the state, adding,  that both the seat of government and the State Assembly were occupied severally by protesters to have the ranching legislation passed.

He said following the passage of the ranching law and his assent,  threats emanated from Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore to resist the law, stressing that reports of such threats were presented to the Presidency and security agencies but no action was taken until the attacks started on the January 1st, 2018.

The governor, however, expressed assurance that with the present steps taken by the Federal Government, peace would soon return to Benue.

While speaking on the recent arrest of the leader of Livestock Guards, Alhaji Aliyu Tershaku, Governor Ortom said he had allowed security agencies to do their investigation and come out with their findings.

He stated however that he inherited Alhaji Tershaku as leader of the defunct Civilian Joint Taskforce for Benue and Nasarawa States, saying when Livestock Guards was formed, he decided to make Alhaji Tershaku leader over it on account of his experience in security matters.

The governor enjoined the members to talk to their constituents about the need to coexist peacefully, saying it was uncalled for to have internal wranglings when the state was facing external aggression.