Ortom assures of quick end to herdsmen, farmers clashes in Benue

BENUE State Governor, Samuel Ortom has assured that the crisis involving Agatu communities in the state and herdsmen and farmers would be resolved soon as the Presidency has deployed a delegation to mediate, following his recent meeting with Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.

Ortom stated this while addressing the people of Nongov at Saghev in Guma council of the state.

He urged the people to remain calm and allow the government to find a lasting solution to the clashes.

He said the government would soon enact a law to eradicate kidnapping and other forms of violence in the state, stressing that development would only thrive in an atmosphere of peace.

In a related development, the Secretary General, Opiatoha K’ Idoma, a socio-cultural organisation of the Idoma, Chief Adoka Adaji, has urged the Federal Government to declare Agatu community an area ravaged by insurgency, stating that the situation in the area can be likened to the insurgency in the North East.

He called on the government to establish full military base in the area to prevent further killings in Agatu community, and appealed to organisations to assist the people with relief materials.

According to Adaji: “A lot of Agatu people have been killed, many rendered homeless with thousands taking refuge in Ugbokpo, Adoka, Iga, Otukpo and other towns. There are no camps to cater for the displaced persons, who are mostly women and children.”