Samuel Ortom, the governor-elect of Benue State, while speaking on Friday, may 8, 2015 with the Gambe-Tiev community and political leaders who paid him a solidarity visit at his residence in Markurdi to congratulate him on his election as governor-elect, has promised to tackle the perennial attack on Benue communities by Fulani herdsmen within six months of his assumption of office as governor of the state.
The governor-elect made this promise while responding to request from Hon. Mathias Mtserikyaa, the leader of Gaambe-Tiev community, who pleaded with the governor-elect to help solve the problem the Fulani herdsmen posed to their communities. The state had constantly come under severe attacks from Fulani herdsmen which left many injured and properties worth millions of Naira destroyed.
Dr. Ortom pledged that his administration will end the havoc visited on Benue communities by the Fulani herdsmen.
‘The violence visited on the rural communities in Benue by Fulani herdsmen is a sore point in our lives. We cannot allow this to continue. As governor of Benue State, I will personally be in the forefront to draw up a lasting strategy in collaboration with all community leaders, traditional rulers, religious leaders as well as Fulani leaders to find a lasting solution to this crises,’ he said.
He called on the people of the state and the various communities to join hands with his administration to help deliver sustainable development to the state while lamenting over the loss of lives and properties due to persistent crises. Other communities and groups that paid a courtesy visit on the governor-elect include the Ipusu community led by Hon Ander Anye and traders from the Makurdi Modern Market among others.
