Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue
State on Wednesday told the Senate that the Presidency ignored several warnings
before the mass killing of his people by herdsmen.
The governor said this when he
appeared before the joint Senate Committee on Police Affairs and National
Security and Intelligence.
He showed the lawmakers copies of
his letter to President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo and the
security chiefs before and after the crisis began.
“Over 100 people killed in Benue
would not have died if security agencies were responsive. None of the letters
(to the Presidency) was replied,” he stated.
“The Minister of Defence, Mansur
Dan-Ali, attributed the Benue killings to blockade of grazing routes and
implementation of ranching law.
“His position is misleading and
dishonest. We hope that his position is not that of the Federal Government,” he
said.
The governor recalled that
President Buhari directed the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, to
relocate to Benue but that ”he spent a night in Lafia before coming to Benue.”
Ortom said, “His PRO (Jimoh
Moshood) insulted me on a public television programme that ‘the Governor of
Benue State is a drowning man.’ IGP has not apologised and has not removed the
FPRO.
“Miyetti Allah Cattle Herders
Association boldly announced, ‘Expect more blood to flow in Benue State,’ and
more blood is flowing, yet the IGP has not arrested or questioned them.
“Nigerians clearly know the side
the IGP stands on. He is not on the side of justice and should resign.”
Ortom, who denied that he was
sponsoring a militia group, recalled that before the anti-open grazing law was
implemented, herders were given a six-month grace to establish ranches.
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com