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BENUE KILLINGS: My comment was misconceived —Gov Lalong

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25 killed as Buhari leaves Plateau

The governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong, on Sunday said that he had to apologise over his comment on the Benue killings by suspected Fulani herdsmen after he was misconceived and misinterpreted.

Lalong had apparently blamed his Benue counterpart, Samuel Ortom, for the killings of over 70 persons in Benue State by Fulani herdsmen.

He had told newsmen in Abuja at a recent encounter that he warned Ortom against going ahead with anti-open grazing bill in his state.

The comment attracted criticisms to the Plateau governor from different groups and person in Nigeria with even his state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, saying that he might have “gone mad”.

However, Lalong on Sunday told newsmen, “I must say that I humbly apologise for my comments because I have seen that it was really misconceived and misinterpreted. That generated a lot of social media write-up here and there about the issue. I apologise for that because neither the argument for or against helps the matter because it involves lives.”

Tendering his unreserved apologies, the governor said that he believed in the sanctity of human lives, adding that Plateau State has a strong affinity with all states in the Middle Belt, especially Benue which was carved out of Plateau State.

“I am here to comment on my statement concerning the lingering issue. That is my comment after the presidential visit in respect of the crisis in Benue State.

“Once again, let me use this opportunity to extend my deepest sympathies and extend our condolences to the people of Benue State over this great loss. My prayer is that God will continue to give them and every Nigerian the fortitude to bear the loss.

“I have great respect for the sanctity of human lives and the unity of the Middle Belt. I would not say Plateau is fighting Benue State at all. We are brothers and sisters. Benue was created out of Plateau. Nasarawa was created out of Pleteau.

READ ALSO: Gov Ishaku hits back at Miyetti Allah over anti-Fulani militia charge, calls it ‘cheap blackmail’

“We still remain brothers and sisters. So I extend my prayers to all of them and I pray that God Almighty will give them the fortitude to bear the loss and grant the souls of the departed eternal rest.

“This is to tell those who are for and against that there is need, especially at this time when lives are involved, for all of us to join hands to ensure that we work towards the resolution of the matter and helping in ensuring peace not only in Benue, but in Nigeria.”

 

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