How Benue lost N400bn to herdsmen – Ortom

Governor Samuel Ortom has claimed that the state has lost over N400 billion worth of property to renewed militia herdsmen attacks on Benue communities.

Ortom made this claim while featuring on Radio Link, a Radio Nigeria audience participatory programme where he interacted with Nigerians on the achievements and challenges of his administration in the past three years.

The Governor noted that the estimate was arrived at following preliminary report of assessment of damages caused by the crisis, stressing that the loss was much and difficult to recover from.

He said the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law of the state was the peoples legislation and that no amount of intimidation or blackmail would make them repeal it, noting that he has no regret whatsoever concerning the enactment and implementation of the law.

“I have no regret. Why should I have any regret doing the will of my people? They trusted me and gave me their votes and I will not betray what they want. I am doing what they want and I have no regret,” Governor Ortom stated.

He commended his colleagues from Taraba and Abia States for keying into the ranching law, saying it was the right way to go.

He also called on Nigerians with a better alternative to bring it on the table to find a lasting solution to farmers and herdsmen crisis in the country.

The Governor challenged the Defence Minister, Dan-Masur Ali to come out and tell Nigerians why there were killings in Zamfara, his home state and other states of Nigeria like Kaduna among others where there was no anti-open grazing law, saying he was waiting for the minister to come out and apologise to Nigerians on his comments.

“The Benue Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law originated from the people and no one will intimidate us to repeal it. What the Defence Minister is doing is encouraging anarchy and I am waiting for him to come out and apologise to Nigerians and Benue state in particular concerning his recent outburst against our law. Killings are going on in his home state, Zamfara, Kaduna and other states where there is no prohibition of open grazing. What can he say is responsible for those killings?” the Governor queried.