Governor Ortom alleges that unknown gunmen plan to attack his convoy on its way to Abuja

BENUE State's Governor Samuel Ortom has alleged that there have been threats on his life and those of his security aides and he has received information about plans by some unnamed persons to attack his convoy while it is on its way to Abuja.

Last month, Governor Ortom had announced he was leaving the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), apparently frustrated with the lack of government action to address the continued menace of herdsmen. More than any other state in Nigeria, Benue has been the victim of hundreds of brutal attacks from Fulani herdsmen who raid rural villages, leaving hundreds dead in their wake.

Also, the governor had been involved in a bitter spat with one of his predecessors Senator George Akume, the leader of the party in the state. Following his defection to the main opposition the Peoples democratic Party (PDP), Governor Ortom has been at loggerheads with the federal government and earlier this month, Benue State's bank accounts were frozen for a few days.

Speaking at an interactive session between the church, traditional institutions and other stakeholders on peaceful elections in 2019, Governor Ortom alleged that he has been informed about plan by the would-be attackers to kidnap and torture one of his security aides before subjecting him to the most cruel death for daring to speak out against the invasion of communities in Benue State where massive killings were carried out. He added that said since he received the information he has resorted to taking chartered flight to Abuja.

Governor Ortom said he was confident that God would show him a way out of the situation if he had to travel out of the state. At the event, which was organised by the Makurdi Diocese of the Catholic Church and held at Pope John Paul II Pastoral Centre in Makurdi, the governor listed eradication of nationwide violence as well as arrest and prosecution of its perpetrators as the recipe for peaceful elections in 2019.

He expressed concern that individuals and groups known to have been involved in violent acts were not being punished even when they sponsor largescale violence involving the destruction of property, arson and killing of about 20,000 people in 19 states of the federation. According to the governor, the main threat to peaceful election in 2019 is the incessant and devastating attacks by herdsmen in 14 states.

“If those that perpetuate violence, like armed herdsmen, are arrested, prosecuted, jailed or appropriate sanctions are applied on them, it will serve as a deterrent to those contemplating violence in the future. Nigerians should use the 2019 elections to demand an end to the Fulani herdsmen’s aggravated violence.

“The federal government must stem the tide of violence and address the root causes of threats to elections in some states. Actors, including the Independent National Electoral Commission, the police, judges and other state security personnel neglect or fail in their duties during and after elections, leaving room for violence,” Governor Ortom added.

He said bodies like non-governmental organisations, community-based groups, labour unions, religious and traditional leaders, social and mass media must not relent in promoting and advocating for peace and community values that would strengthen national unity. Quoting media reports, the governor said between January and March 2018, at least 1,351 people were killed by herdsmen, Boko Haram and other forms of insurgencies.