Killings: Benue Assembly suspends plenary, summons Governor Ortom

Benue State House of Assembly, Thursday suspended plenary for a week to honour those killed by Fulani herdsmen in the state.

The house at its sitting on Thursday also summoned the state governor, Samuel Ortom to appear before the House to brief them on actions taking by the State Security Council to halt the incessant killings of Benue people by Fulani herdsmen militia.

Members of the house arrived at this after debating on a motion by Dr Iorno Jato under urgent public importance, the house resolved that the  governor is to appear in plenary next Wednesday for the interface.

The house equally appreciated members of the National Assembly for their firm stance against the killings, particularly their decision to suspend plenary in protest and to summon the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria over the matter.

Speaker of the Assembly, Mr. Terkimbi Ikyange who gave the ruling after a debate on a motion of Urgent Public Importance moved by Dr. Ianna Jato, also appreciated the State Acting Governor for his efforts at ensuring the protection of the people in the Governor’s absence.

In his motion of Urgent Public Importance, Dr. Jato lamented that the people of the State were being killed in large numbers without any practical actions by those whose Constitutional role it is to protect the people.

Dr. Jato said the last Tuesday killing of two Catholic Priests and worshippers in a morning Mass in Gwer Local Government and the one that followed fees hours later in Guma Local Government is a dangerous trend that must be halted without further delay.

In their contributions, the Majority Leader, Barr. Benjamin Adanyi and Mr. Paul Biam described the acts as provocative, dastardly and inhuman aimed at annihilation of Benue people.

Also speaking, Mr. Titus Uba, Dr. Kester Kyenge and Mr. Avine Agbom said it was unfortunate that despite the contributions of Benue people to keep the Country United, the Nigeria State seems to fold her hands and watch the genocide been perpetrated against the State by herdsmen militia.

Tribune News