Former governor of Benue, Chief Samuel Ortom, has cancelled his 64th birthday celebration.
Ortom, in a statement on Wednesday, said he cancelled the birthday celebration in solidarity with victims of recent attacks in the state.
He expressed his deepest sympathies to affected families and urged the people of Benue to pray for the victims and seek divine intervention to end the violence.
Ortom called on everyone to pray for President Bola Tinubu, Governor Hyacinth Alia, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen George Akume, that they be granted wisdom, strength, and divine guidance to address the security challenges.
“In light of the ongoing intensified invasion, attacks, and senseless killing of innocent Benue people by herdsmen across various local government areas, Chief Ortom has decided not to hold any celebration.
“Instead, he has chosen to use the occasion to demonstrate solidarity with the victims and their families, who have suffered grievously from the attacks.
“The former governor extends his deepest sympathies to all affected families and urges the people of Benue to continue praying fervently for the victims.
“He calls on everyone to seek divine intervention to end the carnage and restore peace and security to the state, as well as other parts of the country,” the statement read.
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