Agatu Killings :Gov Ortom Accuses Foreigners From Mali, Senegal And Ghana ,

The governor of Benue state, Samuel Ortom, in Markurdi on Monday, March 21, blamed the recent killings in Agatu, a local government area in Benue state, on porous borders around the location. Ortom, in a meeting with members of the Senate led by officials of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), said the porous Nigerian borders have lead to an influx of foreigners in the country. 

He said foreigners from Mali, Senegal and Ghana are the perpetrators of the crisis in Agatu community. Advocating for the implementation of ranches in Nigeria, Ortom said keeping animals in paddocks serves as a restriction mechanism.

He also noted that various countries in Asia and Europe use the ranch system for their animals. Also speaking, the deputy chairman of the House committee on disaster and preparedness, Ali Isa, said the uncontrolled killings by the herdsmen is saddening. Isa informed the governor that the House of Representatives has passed a resolution directing its committees to ensure ‎the victims of the attacks are taken care of. He assured Benue natives that members of the House of Representatives share in their pain and would ensure a lasting solution aimed at stopping the incessant killings. 

A group of herdsmen on March 5, invaded Agatu local government area killing over 300 people, a number disputed by the inspector general of police, Solomon Arase. The herdsmen also destroyed various properties in the area, displacing many residents of Agatu. Some Agatu natives who spoke at a town hall meeting in Abuja said the Fulani herdsmen had told them that the reason they chose Agatu is because the grasses in the area are “sweet” and nutritious for their cattle.