Emerging reports indicate that the Federal Government has deployed a combined team of more security personnel to Benue state to address the increasing incidents of killings by suspected herdsmen. The State Governor, Samuel Ortom stated this on Thursday on the floor of the Benue State House of Assembly where he was summoned my members to brief the House on efforts being put in place to end killings in the state.
“The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai is 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. Already additional joint forces coordinated by the Defense Headquarters are in the state to address the security challenges.”
He explained that the state passed the anti-open grazing law following increasing calls from residents who were troubled by the increasing killings of farmers by the marauding herdsmen.
“In fact the Benue Peoples House and the State Assembly were occupied severally by protesters to have the ranching legislation passed and after the passage and my assenting to it, threats emanated from Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore to resist the law. The reports of the threats were presented to the Presidency and security agencies but no action was taken until the attacks started fully on the January 1st, 2018.”
He expressed optimism that with the current efforts by the Federal Government, peace would soon return to the state.
Speaking on the recent arrest of the leader of the Benue Livestock Guards, Alhaji Aliyu Tershaku, Governor Ortom said he had allowed security agencies to do their investigation and come out with their findings.