- Governor Samuel Ortom accused the police IG of not taking action against perpetrators of violence
- He claimed there were threats to his life
- The Benue governor told the people to defend themselves legally
Governor Samuel Ortom has raised allegation against the inspector-general of police accusing him of playing politics with the herdsmen-farmers crisis.
Vanguard reports that the governor spoke on Tuesday, February 6 instructing the people to defend themselves using any legal means.
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The governor claimed their was threat to his life and accused the police chief of not doing enough to arrest those perpetuating violence.
He said: “The Police said they arrested Livestock Guard members and termed them a militia group from Benue. It’s just a diversion from the main issue.
“If you want to hang a dog you give it a bad name. That is what the Inspector General of Police is doing, he is the mouthpiece of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore. That is what the man represents. He should therefore resign his current position to serve full time in his new job.
“So bad, they plant weapons on people and take their pictures and claim they are Benue Livestock Guards. Those people are not members of our Livestock Guard. It is just a planned thing.
“The fact is that I am facing a lot of intimidation and blackmail but I am firm and strong because I have trust in God.
“There are threats even on my life, they are on record that I reported to the Police and those people responsible have not been arrested.
“People say they are going to kill the Governor, is that not grievous enough to arrest the people concerned?
“Miyetti came out and owned up and threatened that bloodshed will continue in Benue. Is it not enough evidence for the Inspector General of Police to arrest one person out of the group?”
Meanwhile, there was a mild drama between the Benue state government and the Nigeria police force on Tuesday, February 6, when the police public relations officer, Jimoh Moshood, described Governor Samuel Ortom as a drowning man.
Channels reports that Moshood had engaged the chief press secretary to the governor, Terver Akase, in a heated argument over the series of violence that have left many to their early graves since the beginning of the year.
NAIJ.com gathered that both officials had featured as guests on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily.
Victims of herdsmen killing buried in Benue state - on NAIJ.com TV
Source: Naija.ng