Samuel Ortom, the Governor of Benue state has stated that more than 100 security agents have died in the line of duty across the state over the last couple of years.
This was stated on Monday by the governor at a media briefing in Abuja.
He explained that patriotism drives his consistent desire to bring to light atrocities being committed by foreign herders whom he accused of trying to take over Nigeria.
He said, “…Security agencies in Benue state, more than 100 of them. DSS, Police, Army, and civil defence, more than 100 of them have been killed in Benue state, in course of their trying to keep peace, restore peace in our country. So, this is a challenge.”
According to him, all Nigerians irrespective of socio-political affiliation owes generations yet unborn a sacred duty to protect and defend the nation’s territorial integrity at all times.
The governor said it would be hypocritical for anyone to say all is currently well with Nigeria. He stressed that the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), means well for Nigeria but that a cabal has hijacked his presidency.
This, he said, has made it near impossible for the President to receive honest advice and act accordingly. He equally alleged that the cabal was working very hard to drive a wedge between him and the President.
Ortom also said, “I have always been frank with Mr President every time I have the opportunity to discuss with him. Left to me alone, this issue of herdsmen wouldn’t have lasted this long because I have told him the truth and of course, you can see that the ranching programme he started in 2016.
“Today, the whole country will have seen that there is no other way to escape the insecurity that is going on. Except we have ranching in this country because those people who are deceiving in this nation, about open grazing, they are not being sincere and most of the people around are just there to support the presidency and allow foreign herdsmen from Niger, Mail, Senegal, Cameroon from all over the place from even Ghana, from where they were chased away to come and take over Nigeria.”