Yahaya Idris Ahmed, Makurdi.
Benue state Governor, Samuel Ortom, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to declare armed Fulani herdsmen killing innocent people in Benue communities as terrorists.
The Governor’s call follows incessant 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 allegedly murdered seven persons in cold blood and left many others badly injured.
Chief Press Secretary to Governor, Terver Akase, in a statement, said Ortom condemns the invasion and killings and describes the situation as unacceptable.
Akase also stated that, the Governor has maintained that 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, according to his spokesman, said that declaring the armed herders operating in Benue State as terrorists will end the wave of impunity and guarantee the rule of law.
He calls on people of the state, especially those living in the affected areas to report any suspicious persons to security agencies.
The Governor commanded officers and men of Operation Whirl Stroke for their prompt responses to distress calls, particularly that of Friday 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 said no amount of threats and attacks will stop the enforcement of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law of the State.
