Again, Benue council area witnesses fresh attack

Aregbesola terms nomads’ activities as threat to cohesion

Governor Samuel Ortom yesterday confirmed that the home of the late Tor Tiv, Dr. Alfred Akawe Torkura, had been attacked by suspected herdsmen, leaving scores injured in Guma Council of Benue State.

Briefing reporters in Makurdi, the governor said: “The sleepy Torkula community in Guma council area was attacked on Sunday morning. Many people were injured but we cannot ascertain the casualty figure. The injured ones have been taken to various hospitals in Makurdi.“The killer Fulani herdsmen are still much around wreaking havoc.

“Among the injured is an investor who came around doing mining in Torkula. This is what we are saying. How will development come to places like that? Crisis will drive away investors.”

The visibly angry Ortom added: “Killings going in the state are connected to herdsmen but nobody is ready to take the bull by the horns.”However, Governor Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State has described the activities of the herdsmen as a serious threat to national unity. Speaking at the 65th birthday party of renowned historian, Professor Toyin Falola in Ibadan, the governor condemned killings.

Noting that the responsibility of government was to protect lives and properties, Aregbesola enjoined security agents to bring the bloodletting to an end.Charging Nigeria to take the lead in the liberation and emancipation of the black man globally, the governor said the nation must not just exist but also be strong to achieve its destiny.

His words: “For Africa to take its place, we must promote and make peace throughout the country. Without peace, there is no development. Peace is the only way to progress.”

On the need for the citizens to be productive, Aregbesola said any society that does not support government through payment of tax could not develop. He lamented that the country depends on rents for survival rather than productivity, saying the scenario amounts to joking with development.