April 12, (THEWILL) – The Benue State Security Council has condemned the killing of 130 people across the state within ten days by terrorist herdsmen.
Arising from its meeting on Tuesday, in Makurdi, the Chairman of the Council and Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, while briefing newsmen, said such attacks were unprovoked and unwarranted.
According to him, the security council has given two weeks grace period to Livestock Guards to allow herders, who came with herds of cattle, to move out with such cattle to where they come from.
Governor Ortom explained that the Council also condemned the unholy alliance by some unscrupulous elements in the state with some Fulani herdsmen to rustle cattle for selfish gain.
The Governor stated that traditional rulers found to be complicit in the act of connivance to cause mischief must be arrested by security agents for prosecution.
It warned anyone in the state with the intention to trouble Fulani herdsmen on a legitimate business to desist or face the wrath of the law, calling on all to report acts of mischief to security agents rather than self-help.
The security council commended President Muhammadu Buhari for condemning the massacre and for directing Security Agents to arrest perpetrators to justice.
It called on those that won at the polls in the state to refrain from unguided utterances that are capable of causing a breakdown of law and order in the state.
Ortom said he remains the Governor of the State till May 29, when he will hand over to the next governor to continue from him and call for cooperation for a smooth transition.
