Don’t take the law into your hands, the Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, has warned the people of his state.
Ortom gave the waning on Monday during an emergency stakeholders meeting in Makaurdi, the state capital.
He said, rather the people should report any violation to the appropriate authorities for necessary actions
He said the law frowned at taking laws into one’s hand.
Ortom who was speaking against the background of the attacks on the people of the state by suspected herdsmen warned against reprisal attacks.
According to him the law would not spare anyone caught for cattle rustling or killing any Fulani herdsmen.
The anti-grazing law, he said protected the herdsmen and farmers alike
Calming for calm, the governor pointed out that 80,000 people had been registered as Internally Displaced Persons at the five camps opened by the state government as a result of killings by Fulani herdsmen.
A former Nigerian envoy to Canada, Iyorwuese Hagher, who was also at the meeting, suggested the introduction of state police.
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According to him, that would help in putting a stop to the ugly situation in the state.
Senator Fred Orti, shared his opinion.
He however also called for peace, saying that would give the opportunity to tackle the problem of insecurity well.
Former Minister of Power and Steel, Paul Unongo who praised the people of the state for their unity against the attacks by the herdsmen urged them to be united forever.
It would be recalled that Benue has been under serious attack by suspected herdsmen.
At least, 73 people were buried recently following an attack by suspected herdsmen on January 1 and 2 of this year.
The attack has been roundly condemned and President Muhammadu Buhari has as a result ordered the Inspector General of Police to ensure that calm was restored in the affected area.
Also, a 10-man committee has been set up to find a lasting solution to the problem.
