Terrorists’ attacks claim over 5,000 in Benue since 2011, says Ortom
Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has revealed that the attacks by terrorists on unarmed people of the state since 2011 have claimed more than 5,000 lives.
Ortom gave this revelation on Thursday during the passing out parade of the first batch of 500 personnel of Benue State Community Volunteer Guards in Makurdi, the state capital.
This was just as the Katsina State chapter of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) on Thursday decried worsening insecurity across the country and expressed concern that the outcome of the 2023 election may not be acceptable and credible.
Ortom said the worsening insecurity in the country had complicated Benue State’s security situation, saying other forms of criminality had started creeping in due to the federal government’s refusal to decisively address insecurity.
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According to Ortom, it was due to the failure of the federal government that the state government decided to revisit the Benue State Vigilante Law of 2000, which was enacted to complement the conventional security agencies in the state to address emerging security issues.
He explained that the law had to be amended by his administration to pave the way for the Community Volunteer Guards to assist the conventional security agencies to curb insecurity in the state.
The governor also expressed optimism that the issue of banditry, kidnapping, robbery and most of all, the issue of terrorists Fulani herdsmen attack would be reduced to the barest minimum.
He stressed that operations of the Benue State Community Volunteer Guards would be strictly guided by the enabling law, warning that any personnel found operating outside the law would be shown the way out.
The Tor Tiv and Chairman, Benue State Council of Chiefs, His Royal Majesty, Prof. James Ayatse in a goodwill message commended the State House of Assembly for enacting the enabling law and pledged the full support of the traditional institution to the security outfit.
Terrorists’ attacks claim over 5,000 in Benue since 2011, says Ortom