Governor Ortom Wants Herdsmen In Benue Declared As Terrorists Over Renewed Killings

Governor Samuel Ortom has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to declare armed Fulani herdsmen killing innocent people in communities of Benue State as terrorists.

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The Governor’s call followed repeated herdsmen attacks on different communities of the state in the last couple of months. The latest of such attacks took place last night at Tse-Chembe community near Anyiin in Logo Local Government Area where the herders murdered seven persons in cold blood and left many others badly injured.

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According to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Terver Akase, Governor Ortom condemned the invasion and killings and described the situation as unacceptable.

LIST OF APPLICATIONS FOR REGULARISATION OF AREA COUNCIL LAND DOCUMENTS NULLIFIED/CANCELLED BY THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF FCT

He said Benue State has a law which prohibits open grazing of livestock, and stressed that only a terrorist group would deliberately choose to violate the legislation as Fulani herdsmen have done since the law was enacted in 2017.

Governor Ortom stated that declaring the armed herders operating in Benue State as terrorists will end the wave of impunity and guarantee the rule of law.

He called on people of the state, especially those living in the affected areas to report any suspicious persons to security agencies.

The Governor commended officers and men of Operation Whirl Stroke for their prompt responses to distress calls, particularly that of yesterday when the people of Tse-Chembe came under herdsmen’s attacks.

He reassures Benue people that his administration will not surrender the state to criminal elements, be they herdsmen or any other group.

Governor Ortom sayid no amount of threats and attacks will stop the enforcement of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law of the State.