Governor Samuel Ortom has called on Benue people, especially those in rural areas to arm themselves with “lawful weapons” and defend themselves against killer herdsmen. 

The governor made the call on Wednesday, while reacting to the killing of five persons in Tse Ahentse community in Ndzorov council ward, Guma Local Government Area on Tuesday, March 8th, 2022 

Ortom also called on the federal government to synergise with his administration and step up military operations that will flushout armed herdsmen from neighbouring states bordering Benue. 

The governor said that this will help end the invasion of Benue communities by killer herdsmen who have continued to use the porous nature of the state borders to invade hapless communities on the Benue side of the border. 

Governor Ortom who expressed sadness over the recent attack said it is time the federal government further “steps up the military operations in states that share common boundaries with Benue state because these communities along the borders have become targets of the armed herders.” 

He emphasised that “It is time to end this unnecessary shedding of innocent blood. We can do it if we cooperate with each other,” the governor said in a statement by his media office. 

He recalled how he has been synergising with his counterparts by holding joint security and peace meetings to build confidence amongst the people so that they will live in peace with one another. 

“The situation where killer herdsmen take shelter with our neighbours, sneak in and kill our people without provocation will not be tolerated any longer. Let the security agencies continue to cooperate with us in Benue to end this bloodletting. Let us  dislodge these invaders from wherever they may be hiding for peace to return to our communities.” 

The Governor while commending the security agencies for their steadfastness and commitment to ending the crises,  called on Benue people to begin to arm themselves with “lawful weapons as presecribed by law and defend themselves against the Fulani invaders.” 

“It is no longer fashionable to continue to cry out for help. We must now be at alert and ready to confront these killers. This is another way we can assist the security agencies in combating this menace since they obviously  overstrectched beyond limits.” 

Some of the dead bodies of those found killed by herdsmen who attacked Tse Ahentse near Iyordye in Guma LGA at dawn are Clement Tortiv, Enoch Utim, Terkimbi Kutaer, Mtaaega Tyogbea and Aondoaver Swende. 

The injured includes Sunday Gaga and Torkwase Igbira.