FG lukewarm attitude is fueling Herdsmen/Farmers crisis in Benue ― Ortom

Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom, has expressed dissatisfaction over the nonchalant attitude of the Federal Government to halt the incessant crises occasioned by Fulani attacks on farmers in the state.

Governor Ortom stated this yesterday in Ugba headquarters of Logo local government area of the State while undertaking tour of areas destroyed by the herdsmen.

The governor who admonished his people not to take law into their hands but to live in peace with the herders. He said that he would not want what happened in Southern Kaduna to repeat itself in his State, and urged the Federal Government to Intervene quickly to put an end to the incessant crisis between the farmers and herdsmen.

Ortom however lamented that the crisis has overwhelmed the state, and called on his people to always report to law enforcement agents anytime cows feast on their farmlands.

According to him, "This battle has overwhelmed us. Do not take the fight upon yourselves because we cannot fight them. Allow government to fight for you."

He also condemned the lukewarm attitude of security agencies, urging them to intensify efforts in apprehending farmers or herdsmen found culpable of taking laws into their hands.

"Any herdsman that trespasses into a farm with his cows and destroys crops, should be arrested. Same too for any farmer that kills herdsmen should be apprehended," Ortom advised.

The governor further assured that the anti-grazing bill before the assembly would be passed soon, as a solution in quelling the crisis between herdsmen and farmers in the State.

Also speaking to newsmen, the State Commissioner of Police Bashir Makam who accompanied the governor on the trip, said only 6 persons were killed during the attack.

Makam maintained that crisis erupted after the herdsmen had come into the area at first instance, grazed and left, noting at their second coming, an altercation ensued between them and the locals, resulting in the killings.

While Amadu Auta who stood for the Ardo Buruku claimed that the Tiv people killed 3 of their cows after an initial attack, which was reported to the Police.

But Andiir Akor, an Mbalagh Community leader aptly denied the claim by Auta, saying that the Fulani herdsmen came into the area with 15,000 cows which they questioned, maintaining that the people did not confront them.

He said 6 persons were killed while several others are still missing.