Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State

Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue on Monday ordered Fulani herdsmen in Tombo-Mbalagh, Buruku Local Government Area of the state to leave the area within two days.

The Governor who was obviously angered by recent killings and attacks in the area attributted to the herdsmen gave the order on Monday in Tombo-Mbalagh during a visit  to ascertain the damage inflicted on the community by herdsmen.

News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Governor’s visit followed attacks on the community by herdsmen over the weekend which claimed eight lives while  three persons are still missing, according to the Sole Administrator for the council area, Mrs Justina Sorkaa,

The state police commissioner, Bashir Makama had earlier said six persons died in the attack.

The Benue state governor said that he had directed security agencies as a matter of urgency to lead herdsmen out of the area for peace to reign since they  were not welcomed by the  inhabitants of the area.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that most criminals in Benue state were disarmed through the amnesty programme  executed by the Ortom administration in 2015.

Ortom still  defended the amnesty initiative which he said had brought relative peace to the state on Monday while encouraging the people to remain law abiding by reporting for appropriate action,  any breach of peace by the herdsmen.

“Some of the displaced persons have moved in with their relations in Buruku town and those who do not have anywhere to go are with us in an improvised IDP camp here at St Peter’s Anglican Primary School, Imenger,”the Sole Administrator said.