Nigerian Authorities Will Account For The Blood Of Innocent Benue Citizens – Ortom
Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom have said that the Nigerian authorites will account for the blood of the innocent Benue citizens spilled during the new year attacks.
Ortom who stated this while addressing a Stakeholders meeting, in Makurdi, Monday, accused authorities of failing in their duties to protect the Benue People.
Ortom said “what happened to us in Benue on the new year eve was not a surprise. We saw it coming and we made our complaints to the President and the security agencies.
“But those whose duty it is to stop the killings kept quiet and did nothing. They rather accused me of over dramatizing, over politicing the killings.
He therefore insisted that the day of reckoning is coming when all those who failed in their duties to protect Benue will be called to account for the blood of the innocent Benue citizens.
“The day of reckoning is coming and God will call all those who have failed us to account for the innocent blood spilled on this land because they failed to take proactive actions to stop the killings of our people”
Ortom who said the attacks were not connected to the law prohibiting open grazing said it was a Jihad and a calculated attempt to take over Benue.
“But there is no going back on that law and we will not allow anyone to intimidate us and take over our land. That will not happen”, he insisted.
Ortom who cried out over New attacks said two women were killed in Guma and two others in Logo LGs four days ago while residents have continued to move away from their villages due to palpable fear.
He said goverment have commenced distribution of relief materials to victims in the five designated camps in the state and appealed to Benue sons and good spirited Nigerians to assist government in facilitating the stay of the victim at the camps.
Ortom had called the meeting to inform stakeholders of the latest security events and allow them make inputs on the way forward.
Speaking at the meeting, Former Nigerian Ambassador to Mexico, Prof. Ioryowuese Hagher said Benue is faced with an acemetric warfare and a genocide that is increasingly shrinking the Benue valley.
He urged all citizens to stay united and be vigilant saying “our security is now in our hands and a can not allow strangers to kill us all.
Also speaking, Former State Assembly Speaker, Hon. Margreth Icheen and former Chairman of Agatu LG, Mrs Owakoyi Eghiaruwa called on the the women to go on their knees and join the men in the protection of Benue state.
