14th June, 2022
Governor Samuel Ortom has condemned the recent killing of farmers by gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen in Edumoga community, Okpokwu Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State.
His Chief Press Secretary, Nathaniel Ikyur, on Tuesday quoted the governor in a press statement describing the killing as barbaric and demanded justice for the victims.
Whilst mourning the victims, Ortom declared that the murderers/criminals must be fished out and prosecuted.
An angry Ortom was quoted saying “When I started shouting about the menace of killer herdsmen in my state, many people thought I was playing to the gallery.
“Gradually, this has spread to all other parts of the country because the Federal Government has refused to act appropriately and decisively against them. This is the reason why they have continued with impunity.
“It has clearly shown that the killing of these innocent farmers in Edumoga, Okpokwu Local Government is yet another barbaric act by Fulani herdsmen. They must not go unpunished.”
“We are capable of defending ourselves if authorities concerned refuse to do so. We are not cowards; we are just law-abiding,“ he stated.
Early on Sunday morning, armed men attacked Edumoga and killed some residents while leaving the whereabouts of a number of others unknown.
The state’s police authorities verified the tragedy, however they withheld the precise number of citizens slain in the attack.