Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom on Monday reiterated that the people of his state are suffering from security challenges. Particularly, the Governor lamented the activities of criminal herdsmen whom he said are rendering many residents homeless and turning them into Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in their own state of origin.
While calling on the federal government to do more in tackling the security challenges, he went further to specifically tell the government to declare the herdsmen as terrorists.
Ortom made the call in Gbajimba, Guma Local Government Area, LGA, during the virtual handing over and commissioning of the Government Science Secondary School built by a consortium of oil companies.
While commending security agencies for their concerted efforts in tackling the menace of insecurity across the country, the Benue Governor said he won’t keep quiet because justice needs to be served and the people need to be saved from the worsening security challenges.
He assured that his administration would continue to do all within its powers to ensure the displaced persons returned to their ancestral homes.
He said: “I will not keep quiet and allow some group of people chase my people away from their homes and continue to make them IDPs. Gbajimba has over 500,000 IDPs. I appeal to the Federal Government to stop these herdsmen and declare them a terrorist group.
“They should stop the killings and destruction of our property. I will not engage any militia group but I will continue to seek justice for my people.
“Security is a mandatory responsibility of every government. I want to appreciate the recent effort made by government in nipping insecurity in the bud especially in the state but it should be sustained.
“I also, appreciate the effort of security agencies who are sacrificing their lives to ensure peace in our state. The Federal Government should do massive recruitment and ensure adequate funding of security agencies so that they can put in their best in securing the lives of Nigerians.”
Tracknews Online understands Ortom commended the oil companies who collaborated to build the school and promised that his government will facilitate the perimeter fencing of the structure.
