Gov Ortom escapes death over protest against herdsmen killings

…Buhari orders arrest of perpetrators
Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom on Wednesday escaped death when he was stoned while trying to calm protesters at Wurukum in Makurdi, the state capital.

The protesters, who were aggrieved as a result of the fresh killings by the suspected herdsmen, also booed Ortom, who had earlier raised the alarm over the attack.

The governor had gone to placate the restive youth who vowed to remain on the streets until a decisive action is taken against the attackers.

Incidentally, the soldiers drafted to quell the protest and prevent mayhem are finding it difficult to control the crowd.

Residents trooped out in their thousands on Wednesday morning.

Wielding placards with inscriptions such as ‘Presidential Intervention needed’, ‘Why value cows more than Humans’, ‘Stop this incessant bloodbath’, they chanted anti-government songs.

The protesters also barricaded major roads leading in and out of Makurdi.

Terhemen Anum, one of the protesters, said that residents of Guma and Logo local government areas did not have the exact figure of the number of peasant farmers, women, children and the aged who were killed.

Ruth Agba, another protester, said the killing of Benue farmers and destruction to their homes and farms was not different from Boko Haram activities in the north-east.

Meanwhile, the police have confirmed the arrest of eight herdsmen in connection with the attacks.

Moses Yamu, police public relations officer in the state, said the command had made additional deployments in the troubled area to forestall further occurrence and restore confidence of the people.

In a related development, President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday commiserated with Governor Ortom.

Suspected herdsmen were reported to have attacked Guma and Logo Local Government Areas of the state in the New Year and allegedly killed some people.

Buhari, who expressed immense sadness at the incident, described the development as “wicked and callous” attacks on even innocent children.

The President assured the governor and people of the state that relevant security agencies have been directed to do everything possible to arrest those behind the regrettable incidents and avert further attacks.

He said, “This is one attack too many, and everything must be done to provide security for the people in our rural communities.”

Buhari also commiserated with families of the victims and wished the injured speedy healing.

The Daily Times recalls that the President had on Tuesday expressed shock and outrage over killings of innocent persons in Omoku, Rivers State; and murders of the traditional ruler, the Etum Numana, Dr. Gambo Makama, and his wife in Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State in the New Year.

Buhari also described the incidents as “reprehensible and unacceptable” and directed law enforcement agencies in both states to intensify their current efforts in order to speedily bring the perpetrators to face the wrath of the law.

He said, “I have always maintained that nothing justifies the taking of the life of an innocent person. People in our communities must learn to live peacefully.”

Mathew Dadiya, Abuja