The Governor of Benue state has said that his government cannot continue to spend on security as he called on Nigerians to support Fulani herdsmen.
Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State
The Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, has called on Nigerians to rally round and support Fulani herdsmen that have been laying seige in some parts of the country and the state in particular.
Ortom said that his government cannot be spending money on security in this recession. The state has been most hit following incessant attacks on the people by herdsmen who have killed hundreds.
The Federal Government had deployed security forces to comb the flash points across the state, leading to the arrest of several persons linked to most wanted criminal, Terwase Akwanza, aka Gana.
While addressing reporters at the government house, Makurdi, on his return from China, the governor maintained that money meant for security could be used to solve other problems.
According to him, “The solution to Fulani invasion is ranching. There is nowhere in the world where we have cattle moving about except in Nigeria. Why must we live with animals? How can we continue to spend on security in the midst of recession?
“We must ranch our cattle. Nigeria must come together to support herdsmen ranch their cattle.”
The Governor urged the youths to be law abiding and avoid taking the law into their hands. A recent clash between Fulani herdsmen and farmers in Ikpayongo area of the state left six persons reportedly killed and many others injured as the attack by the herdsmen continue.
Ortom advised the people of the state to always report whenever there were issues to the appropriate quarters so that government could take up the matter with a view to finding solutions to them.
He added, “Report where there are issues. Two wrongs can never make a right. People will begin to be afraid of Benue if we continue this way. No matter the provocation, we must be law abiding so that government can fight for us.”