Following killings allegedly perpetrated by herdsmen in Benue State, the State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has cautioned people of the state against taking the law into their hands.
Ortom warned that anyone caught taking the law into his hands would not be spared.
Speaking while presenting staff of office to ten newly installed first Class Chiefs in the state, Ortom appealed to the people of the state to allow security operatives who have been saddled with the responsibility of protecting lives and property do their job.
He said, “We are not fighting any tribe but fighting for justice and fairness. We should not take laws into our hands in the course of fighting for justice.
“We have indigenes of Benue all over Nigeria. Don’t make them become subjects of intimidation. Let us not do anything that will aggravate our problem.”
Ortom observed that the Benue anti-open grazing law has been applauded by many Nigerians with some states in the country already emulating the state by enacting the law.
He urged people of the state to be focused and allow relevant authorities find lasting solution to the menace.
“We have done well and people are talking about our ranching law as the right way to go. Don’t ever attempt taking any innocent lives anywhere. If you are caught, you will be punished.
“You don’t need to go after anyone. Allow the security men who are trained to do so do their job. Don’t go after innocent lives who know nothing about what is going on in Benue. It’s a matter of time, Benue will not see these enemies again,” he said.
