Benue governor, Samuel Ortom

Governor Samuel Ortom on Monday condemned recent attacks on security operatives in Agatu local government council of the state and called on leaders in the area to produce those that carried out such attacks.

Ortom made the condemnation at the town hall meeting of Benue stakeholders at the Benue People’s House in Makurdi.

The governor said that the attacks undermined the efforts of his administration at ensuring lasting peace between the herdsmen and farmers in the area.

He wondered why security operatives posted to the area to maintain law and order would be attacked by the same people they were sacrificing their comfort to protect.

He said the attacks were unwarranted and charged the leaders in the area to produce those who attacked and killed a soldier, for prosecution.

Ortom also reiterated his resolve to ensure that no part of the state was under occupation by herdsmen.

He denied ceding lands to herdsmen in Agatu, insisting that the administration had not reneged on its earlier commitment to ranches.

A cross section of the stakeholders condemned the attacks and urged the governor not to give up on ranches as opposed to grazing routes.

Mr Sebastian Hon, SAN, advised the Federal Government to tone down its interest in grazing routes across the country.

Hon suggested that the Sambisa forest be cleared and made a colony of gazing for herdsmen.

Also speaking, a former military governor, Gen. Lawrence Onoja, advised the Federal Government to abandon its quest for grazing routes in the country, saying the plan was not feasible.

Also commenting, the Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the state, Rev. Akpen Leva, warned against allocating lands to herdsmen. (NAN)