Herdsmen Killings: Gov. Ortom Tells Benue People To Defend Themselves

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has told the people of the state to adopt legal means to defend themselves if attacked.

The governor, who spoke on a radio programme titled, “Issue of the moment” on Tuesday, the people should defend themselves in order not to fall prey of attacks.

Ortom lamented that despite the presence of policemen in the state, killings were still on going.

He said, “I think the people should have the right to defend themselves and not to make themselves easy preys to be killed in their homes.

“So any lawful means you can adopt to defend yourself, just go ahead in Benue State. We are not going to wait for the Inspector-General of Police to do it.”

The governor however, commiserated with the families of the policemen killed in the attacks and criticised the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris for playing politics with the crisis.

Ortom said, “It is unfortunate, the people are dying and the Inspector-General of Police is playing politics with the issue. The man should resign because he has failed woefully. He doesn’t have the capacity.

“There are many good police officers who can take over that job and perform creditably by turning around the security architecture of this country, making things work and protecting lives and property. That man has no business being the IGP.”

Meanwhile, the governor has lifted the dusk-to-dawn curfew which was imposed on Gboko town last week Wednesday due to the killing of seven travellers.

Ortom condemned the killing of the travellers and noted that the victims were not Fulani as reported.