Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has, in a press briefing he made just hours after his convoy was attacked by gunmen suspected to be herdsmen while inspecting his farm at Tyo-Mu along Makurdi-Gboko, demanded the arrest and prosecution of the leadership of Myetti Allah Kautal Hore.
Confirming the incident to journalists, the governor described his assailants as “herders”, adding that the armed men, numbering about 15, trailed his convoy to the river bank where he was on foot with his security details to inspect a farm and opened fire on them.
The governor praised his security details “who were just about six” for responding quickly to the attackers and repelling the armed men promptly before providing cover for him to return to safety.
He added that the police, and operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), have mobilised to the forest between Tyo Mu and Abinse where the armed herdsmen are thought to be camped.
It will be recalled that earlier this year in reaction to a comment made by Bala Mohammed, governor of Bauchi, that herdsmen have no option but to carry AK-47 to protect themselves, Ortom had warned all herders in the state to respect the laws prohibiting the carrying of unlicensed arms.
“Anyone who is not willing to respect the laws of our land should go and meet Bala Mohammed, and there you can carry AK-47, and you’ll not be apprehended. Here, when you come, we’ll apprehend you. I want this to be known,” he had said.
Following backlash, Mohammed had retracted his statement and cautioned herders against carrying AK-47 rifle, saying his earlier statement was a figurative allusion.