Security Breakdown Imminent in Benue as Residents get Double Commands

President Buhari and Samuel Ortom, Governor of Benue State

Security Breakdown Imminent in Benue as Residents get Double Commands

It is uncertain how residents of Benue State, North Central Nigeria will react to deferent and divergent commands from two hierarchies of government: state and federal government. But common sense agrees that there will be divided loyalty.

Following farmers-herders crisis in the state which has taken over a hundred lives since this year, the state Governor Samuel Ortom, has accused federal government of irresponsibility towards protection of residents lives and property. Ortom has urged residents to defends themselves against the Funalis.

But the Nigeria’s Police command, being headed by Ibrahim Kpotum Idris is asking the residents to have faith in the Police.

Ortom ordered the residents to seek any available means as far as it is lawful to defend themselves, saying he had lost confidence on the Federal Government.

Vanguard Nigeria reported that “Ortom has said the of Benue state has advised the people of the state to adopt any lawful means to defend themselves from bloodthirsty herdsmen attacking parts of the state.

“He lamented that the call became necessary because the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris who should enforce security and safety of the people was playing politics with the unending killings in the state”.

The Governor who spoke Tuesday during a live Phone-in Benue Radio Programme, Issues of the Moment, monitored in Makurdi, accused the Inspector General of Police of becoming the mouthpiece of the murderers of the Benue people.

Governor Ortom 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”, the governor said.