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BENUE: Ortom urges swift FG intervention as suspected herdsmen kill over 20

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HERDSMEN: Unsure of FG, Gov Ortom may seek ICC protection as Benue grazing law kicks off Nov 1

Armed assailants suspected to be herdsmen have attacked Benue communities, killing at least 20 people, Governor Samuel Ortom has said.

The assailants were said to have attacked communities in Guma and Logo local government areas of the state between Monday and Tuesday.

Ortom disclosed this while briefing journalists on Tuesday in Makurdi after the State Security Meeting.

He revealed that out of the total number of people killed, nine were livestock guards who were to enforce the state’s anti-open grazing law.

Ortom stated that the law was not targeted at any ethnic group and wondered why the herdsmen had interpreted it as targeted at them and resorting to unleashing terror on the people.

Read also: KADUNA: In yet another attack, traditional ruler, pregnant wife killed by suspected herdsmen

The governor also lamented the unwarranted destruction of lives and property by the herdsmen, adding that no matter the intimidation and killings by the herdsmen, the law would not be reversed or repealed.

He assured that the law would be fully implemented and care would be taken to ensure that anyone found guilty of violating it would be made to face the full wrath of the law.

Ortom called on the Federal Government to rapidly intervene so as to prevent further destruction of lives and property.

Gajir Tsoho of the Surgical Department, Benue State University Teaching Hospital, said over 30 injured victims of the herdsmen attack were brought to the hospital and were receiving treatment.

 

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