Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, says bandits are currently operating in at least 24 out of Nigeria’s 36 States of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Governor Ortom, who spoke on Thursday at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Correspondents Chapel, Abuja, through Webinar, warned that if the activities of the bandits are not checked immediately, there may be a food crisis in the country.
According to Ortom, “at least, 24 out of 36 States of Nigeria now have serious farmers and herdsmen crisis involving killings. Without ranching laws, herdsmen may soon be at every doorstep and that this will compromise farming and food security across the country.
“Herdsmen attacks on farmers will only end when open grazing is completely eliminated. Many countries in the world including those in Africa have embraced ranching.”
Speaking on the growing incidences of kidnapping, the Benue State Governor said: “The rise in kidnappings of all categories of people across the country is a dangerous trend. We don’t know who is telling the truth. But as it stands, there is a strong allegation that desperate politicians brought into the country foreign mercenaries to help them win elections.”
This is as a former Senate Leader and Senator representing Borno Central, Mohammed Ali Ndume, accused Governor Ortom and other leaders of masterminding the ethnic tension in the country, saying that every Governor must account for the people killed in their States.
Ndume, who served as Chairman of the NUJ event, said the political class, especially the President and Governors, seldom fight openly, but pitch the people against themselves.
He said: “About 11 soldiers were killed in Benue and as I speak, not one person has been arrested. Instead, Ortom is telling us that the perpetrator will be brought to justice. Let me tell the Governor and other elected leaders that they will account for those killed in their States.”
