Rampaging Herdsmen Behead 2 Cops In Benue

…As Ortom Opposes Colonies

Following the destruction unleashed on Benue State by rampaging deadly herdsmen, Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State on Tuesday in Abuja disclosed that two cops were beheaded by the murderous herdsmen when they ambushed a Nigeria police convoy in Logo Local Government Area of the state on Monday.

Confirming the death of the cops to State House Correspondents after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, the governor lamented that serious strategies were needed to tackle the ongoing killings and destructions in Benue state.

According to an official who is not permitted to speak to the press, “We’re witnessing a massive fraud built on falsehood. Those who should tell the truth are engaged in misleading members of the public on the matter. We only hope that the Federal Government will intervene swiftly and rescue the situation,” the official noted.

The killing of the cops, according to the official, occurred when the herdsmen attacked the camp of Mobile policemen, Mopol 13 that is stationed at Awashuwa village and injuring other two policemen.

Meanwhile, the embattled governor, after a closed door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari spanning over two hours, opposed the Federal Government’s plans to establish colonies for the herdsmen.

Ortom who still insisted on ranching of cattle as done in other African countries, added, “I’m waiting to be briefed about what colonies means, I don’t understand it and until I understand it…but like I keep saying, for us the way forward is ranching and up till this time I am talking to you, the way forward is ranching because is global best practice. And it is not just practice in other parts of the world, on African soil in Swaziland, South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique almost all African countries that rear cattle, they ranch, so why can’t we do the same thing here.

“For the colony thing I don’t know what colony is.”

On the meeting with the President and the latest deployment of security officials to contain the situation, the governor said, “I had earlier briefed Mr. President when this incident took place on the 1st of January. After staying back on the ground to do the needful to ensure that we restore normalcy I said it was important for me to come personally and brief him and that has been done.

“Already, because of the communications we have been having when this incidents started, actions have been taken as directed by him. The movement of the DIG, the movement of the IG now to relocate to Benue State to ensure that this challenge is surmounted was at the instance of Mr. President.  Of course additional personally of DSS and Police have been deployed and even the Army. We have additional personnel on ground now. We have adequately and fully given them the logistics support to ensure that our people are protected.

“I had to brief him, he is also doing further investigation to know the next line of action. I believe that my request that the leadership of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, who has earlier threatened and I accused them directly, since June last year I have been writing to the leadership of security agencies, that these people are a threat to our collective interest and they must be dealt with. They must be arrested and prosecuted because we cannot allow impunity to continue to thrive. And of course threat and no action has resulted in this killing and I think that Mr. President will also do the needful to ensure something is done.”