Time to stop crying and take action against killer Herdsmen – Gov Ortom

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, is frustrated with the mindless killing of his people and he says the time has come for his people to stop crying and take action against killer herders in the state.

Gov. Ortom spoke on Saturday at the Banquet Hall of the Government House during a media parley to mark his second year in office in his second tenure.

Ortom, who is hampered by his lack of control over the security apparatus of the state, stressed that it was time to stop crying over the endless attacks unleashed on people of the state by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

The governor, who said he has activated vigilante groups across the state, insisted they should be allowed to carry arms to protect their communities.

“A few weeks ago, Benue stakeholders met and gave this administration the mandate to activate and implement the Community Volunteer Guards Law enacted in 2000.

“We have already commenced the process of recruiting responsible people of 50 years and below into the Volunteer Guards.

“Their duty is to support the conventional security agencies in defending their communities. We have cried enough. We will cry no more. Now is time for action,” he said.

He noted that the attacks notwithstanding, he would not back down on the anti-open grazing law. He said the state would rather strengthen the law and make the penalties stiffer.

“Let me remind those who think that sustained attacks on the Benue people will force us to repeal the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law, that they are making a mistake.

“This law has come to stay and no amount of intimidation can make us repeal it. Instead, we will soon amend the law in order to increase the penalties against offenders,” he said.