Again, Ortom Indicts Presidency Over Benue Killings

Governor Samuel Ortorm, at a meeting with the Nigerian Senate on Wednesday, has again indicted the Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government over the deadly Fulani herdsmen attack that left over 50 people dead in Benue State.

Ortom told a joint Senate committee on Police Affairs; and National Security and Intelligence that the letters he wrote calling on the presidency to forestall the looming attacks were ignored.

“Over 100 people killed in Benue would not have died if security agencies were responsive. None of the letters (to the Presidency) was replied,” said the governor.

“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 Senate committee had invited the governor to hear his side of the claims made by the Inspector General of the Police, Ibrahim Idris, that it was anti-open grazing law passed in the state that provoked the herdsmen into the killings.

Ortom further 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,” he said.