Presidency ignored warnings before Benue killings, Ortom insists

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State met with the Senate in
Abuja on Wednesday and blamed the Presidency for ignoring several
warnings before the mass killings of his people by herdsmen in the
state.

The meeting was part of the ongoing probe by the Senate into the
security crisis in Benue State.

The governor appeared before the joint Senate Committee on
Police Affairs; and National Security and Intelligence, where he
denied allegations against him by the Inspector-General of Police,
Mr. Ibrahim Idris.

The meeting, which was held behind closed doors, lasted about
two hours.

In Ortom’s presentation, which was sighted by our correspondent
after the meeting, the governor blamed the Presidency for
inaction.

He showed the lawmakers copies of his letter 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.

He also condemned the Minister of Defence, Brig. Gen. Mansur
Dan-Ali (retd.), for his comment on the Benue crisis.

Ortom said, “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.”

The governor recalled that President Buhari directed the IG to
relocate to Benue and stop the killings “instead, he spent a night
in Lafia before coming to Benue.”

He added that the police boss spent a night in Benue where he
met with stakeholders, who asked Idris why he first went to
Nasarawa State before visiting the state.

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 also denied that he was sponsoring a militia group in the
state. He also noted that the anti-open grazing law introduced and
being implemented in the state was in good faith, stressing that
herders were given a six-month grace to establish ranches.

The governor also disclosed that after 73 persons killed by
herdsmen were given a mass burial, over 60 more, including security
operatives, had been killed while the attacks had not stopped.

The Senate had last Wednesday stepped down a report by its joint
committee for not having the inputs of the governor.

Senators who spoke on the report presented by chairman of the
panel, Abu Ibrahim, described it as one-sided, saying it had only
the submissions made by the IG, who made a series of allegations
against Ortom and the Benue State Government.

The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, had ruled that the report
be stepped down, while the panel should meet with Ortom and report
back within one week.

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State met with the Senate in
Abuja on Wednesday and blamed the Presidency for ignoring several
warnings before the mass killings of his people by herdsmen in the
state.

The meeting was part of the ongoing probe by the Senate into the
security crisis in Benue State.

The governor appeared before the joint Senate Committee on
Police Affairs; and National Security and Intelligence, where he
denied allegations against him by the Inspector-General of Police,
Mr. Ibrahim Idris.

The meeting, which was held behind closed doors, lasted about
two hours.

In Ortom’s presentation, which was sighted by our correspondent
after the meeting, the governor blamed the Presidency for
inaction.

He showed the lawmakers copies of his letter 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.

He also condemned the Minister of Defence, Brig. Gen. Mansur
Dan-Ali (retd.), for his comment on the Benue crisis.

Ortom said, “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.”

The governor recalled that President Buhari directed the IG to
relocate to Benue and stop the killings “instead, he spent a night
in Lafia before coming to Benue.”

He added that the police boss spent a night in Benue where he
met with stakeholders, who asked Idris why he first went to
Nasarawa State before visiting the state.

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 also denied that he was sponsoring a militia group in the
state. He also noted that the anti-open grazing law introduced and
being implemented in the state was in good faith, stressing that
herders were given a six-month grace to establish ranches.

The governor also disclosed that after 73 persons killed by
herdsmen were given a mass burial, over 60 more, including security
operatives, had been killed while the attacks had not stopped.

The Senate had last Wednesday stepped down a report by its joint
committee for not having the inputs of the governor.

Senators who spoke on the report presented by chairman of the
panel, Abu Ibrahim, described it as one-sided, saying it had only
the submissions made by the IG, who made a series of allegations
against Ortom and the Benue State Government.

The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, had ruled that the report
be stepped down, while the panel should meet with Ortom and report
back within one week.