I didn’t know Police IG flouted my order ―President Buhari

PRESIDENT Muhammad Buhari has said that he was not aware that the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris whom he deplored to Benue State in the wake of the killings floated his order and did not stay in the state.

President Buhari stated this yesterday when he paid a condolence visit to government and people of the state over the killings of many people since new year day.

Buhari met with stakeholders at the new banquet hall of government house, Makurdi and said that he did the needful by sending IG to the state, “but did not know that he (IG) did not stay in the state.”

The president also reiterated he advised that the people of the state should learn how to live peacefully with their neighbours, insisting that the relationship between farmers and herders would continue.

Buhari dismissed the insinuation that he abandoned the people of the state while the killings persist, saying, “I have friends here in the state, there is no way I can deliberately overlook what is happening here and other parts of the country.”

“Let me appeal to our people in the state to apply more restraints, the relationship between farmers and herders will continue, it behoves on us to keep encouraging ourselves to continue to live together peacefully”.

The president regretted that in spite of the situation in the country, some Nigerians were not sympathetic with his government, saying, ‘some Nigerians are still stealing.

“When we came into office, the price of crude went down and production was cut to one million barrel per day. I went to CBN there was no money, I asked why they said we bought food and fuel. I didn’t believe them then and now too.”

The president said that his administration has cut down importation of rice by 90 percent because many states of the federation are cultivating rice in large quantity.

Buhari said he had taken note of all issues raised at the meeting but said he would not make any promise until next time he comes back to the state.

Several stakeholders attended the meeting from all walks of life, from politicians to religious leaders, opinion moulders and traditional rulers.

The state governor, Samuel Ortom during his speech had informed the president of the massive killings in the state, adding that about 91 persons had been killed after the mass burial of the 73 persons.

“Sixty-five more people have been killed after the mass burial of 73 persons, also 26 more were killed in Okpokwu with over 5000 displaced in Mbatoho community.”

Herdsmen killings: FG to strengthen traditional institutions

“As of now, one hundred and seventy thousand persons, 170,000 people live in displaced camps across the state. 60 percent of IDPs are school children who should be in school by now.”

“Yesterday, two police officers were killed in Guma, our appeal is that federal government should compensate the people who were displaced.”

Ortom said that contrary to reports that the state has militia group, “Ghana is the one that is known to own a militia and has been declared wanted with a ransom of N50 million placed on him.”

“We hope the Ayem Akpatuma can be upgraded from exercise to operation because the herdsmen have taken over the villages and our food have become feeds for their cattle. If Ayem is upgraded, they will also help in tracking down Ghana.”

The governor appealed to the president to order the immediate arrest and prosecution of leaders of Miyeiti Alla Kautal Hore who threatened and still carried out their threats.

On his part, an elder statesman and former Minister of Power and Steel, Wantaregh Paul Unongo said that Benue people were deeply hurt and bewildered over the killings of unarmed villagers.

“This is not a monopoly of Benue to treats a, Zamfara, Kaduna, plateau and other parts of the north from those who voted massively for you. The pictures we thought were just propaganda until it happened in Benue. When you were on a visit to Taraba that you were coming to Benue, these people went to Okpokwu and killed over 30 people. I personally believe that it was an act of God that you were chosen to be our leader this time.

” I know you were shot in the Biafran war and a Tiv man backed you and took you out of that place. The people of Benue are resolute about you, please, don’t disappoint them. Degrade the herdsmen phenomenal. The landmass of your country is not increasing, the population is. If you don’t do something now, you will discover that you will end up having a terrorist country far beyond your dream.

“Our governor is not your enemy but is under threat. He is very competent and loyal to you. The law was not made to antagonize you. How can somebody with Fulani blood be the leader of Tiv people? Your son, Ortom is misunderstood by some of your security aids especially the police IGP. He is under threat”, Unongo lamented.

The chairman Benue state council of chiefs and the Tor Tiv, Professor James Ayatse called for redesigning of the security system Nigeria to include the traditional rulers.

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“Security is not just working for the president alone but that of the whole nation. I’ve observed security seem to be on you and l want to say that the security challenges concerning herdsmen didn’t start with you (Buhari) but had been there all along. The response of some key agencies of government has not been comforting at all. Advised that on sensitive issues like that should exercise restraints in their comments and statements

The paramount ruler, however, appealed to the President to make everything possible to support the anti-open grazing law which he said is very dear to the people and also craved for more appointments of Benue indigenes.

Two Mopol killed 24 hours before Buhari’s arrival

Two mobile policemen were killed on Sunday killed at Tse-Oragbo in Nyiev council ward of Guma local government area of Benue state.

The policemen were killed less than 24hours to the visit of president Muhammad Buhari on Monday.

Though police spokesman, ASP Moses Yamu said he was yet to be briefed about the incident, governor Ottom confirmed this at the stakeholders meeting with president Buhari yesterday.

The Nigerian Tribune learnt that the slain policemen were part of the security operatives deployed to the troubled communities in the council area in the wake of new year attacks.

Our correspondent who later identified names of the victims to be; Sergeants Ibrahim Shehu and Mohammed Sani were butchered and one other had his neck twisted.

Their remains were taken to the mortuary of Federal Medical Center, Makurdi around Sunday evening by a police officer, DSP Ishoda N.

Journalist bar from covering Buhari’s visit.

Some Journalists were prevented from covering the visit of president Muhammad Buhari yesterday.

Correspondents barred from the coverage were; that of Punch, This day, Vanguard, Tribune, New Telegraph, The Nation, Pilot, PeoplesDaily, Galaxy TV and others.

About thirty correspondents from various media organization are in the state out of which seven media organization were allowed to cover the president’s visit. The media allowed are; NAN, SUN, Guardian, VON, Leadership, Daily Trust and Daily Independent.

No reason was given for the restriction.