Herdsmen killings: Ortom presents documents to indict Presidency, Defence Minister, IGP

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State, on Wednesday, gave startling revelations to the Senate when he informed the lawmakers that the Presidency ignored several warnings before the mass killing of his people by herdsmen.

The governor said this when he appeared before the joint Senate Committee on Police Affairs and National Security and Intelligence.

He showed the lawmakers copies of his letters to President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and the security chiefs before and after the crisis began.

“Over 100 people killed in Benue would not have died if security agencies were responsive. None of the letters (to the Presidency) was replied,” he stated.

“The Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, attributed the Benue killings to blockade of grazing routes and implementation of ranching law.

“His position is misleading and dishonest. We hope that his position is not that of the Federal Government,” he said.

The governor recalled that President Buhari directed the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, to relocate to Benue but that ”he spent a night in Lafia before coming to Benue.”

Ortom said, “His PRO (Jimoh Moshood) insulted me on a public television programme that ‘the Governor of Benue State is a drowning man.’ IGP has not apologised and has not removed the FPRO.

“Miyetti Allah Cattle Herders Association boldly announced, ‘Expect more blood to flow in Benue State,’ and more blood is flowing, yet the IGP has not arrested or questioned them.

“Nigerians clearly know the side the IGP stands on. He is not on the side of justice and should resign.”



Ortom, who denied that he was sponsoring a militia group, recalled that before the anti-open grazing law was implemented, herders were given a six-month grace to establish ranches.

joinnow:
Next time write open letter like obansajo
May be pmb will hear and respond

duni04:
Let me get something straight, this nimcompoo of a governor had information that an attack was about to occur and what did he do? He didn't mobilise the state commissioner of police and the state director of the DSS and immediately arrest the situation, he didn't consult with the traditional rulers of the area, he didn't visit the area to ascertain what was going on, he didn't notify the Brigadier general in the closest military formation, he didnt visit the IG of police in Abuja or the DG of the DSS, all he did was write a letter to Abuja to cry about an attack when the President and VP have millions of letters on their desks. When Don waney killed 41 people in Rivers last month, Wike didn't cry on TV that he wrote letters, he mobilised the local DSS and police plus a ransome of N20million to kill the terrorist. Fayose didn't write letters to Abuja when herdsmen were killing farmers, he mobilised the local police. Why is Ortom writing letters to Abuja when lives are at stake? This governor must be the biggest idiot we have in the country.

adenlemmanuel:
Dear Ortom, we both know the presidency saw your letters and trashed them and I am sure neither Buhari nor Osinbajo saw your letters.

Next time....try the path of Obasanjo, write an open letter and you will be sure of an almost instant response from those hypocrites.

Annie939:
hmmmmmmmm the governor is very bold that's good