Ortom asks Buhari to declare state of emergency as ‘herdsmen’ kill 7 in Benue IDP camp

Suspected herdsmen have killed seven persons during an attack on an internally displaced persons (IDP) camp in Abagena community, Benue state.

Jimin Geoffrey, spokesman to Samuel Ortom, the state governor, said in a statement on Tuesday that “many others” were injured in the incident.

This is even as Ortom has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to declare a state of emergency over Nigeria’s deteriorating security situation.

“My colleagues, the governors, must rise and impress on the president to call a security summit, if possible, to declare a state of emergency on security so that all hands will be on deck to address the situation in the country,” the governor said.

The fresh attack in Benue caused the IDPs to block the Makurdi-Lafia road to protest the killings which are the latest of the incessant security incidents in various parts of the country.

“Seven dead bodies have so far been counted with many others injured after armed Fulani herdsmen attacked Abagena community housing Internally Displaced Persons camp in Makurdi Local Area of Benue State,” Geoffrey said.

He quoted Ortom as describing the attack as barbaric and unacceptable when he visited the camp.

Ortom, who added that more than 70 people have been killed across three LGAs in the state, asked Buhari to “rise up” to the security challenge.

“You have all seen what is happening within the last two weeks. We have lost over 70 people in Guma, Makurdi and Gwer West LGAs alone, in addition to what you have seen here,” he said.

“Many are in the hospital apart from the seven that were killed. But I want to say that our patience is being overstretched in spite of our preaching of rule of law and due process. You can see that the people are fed up.

“Mr President must rise up; he is the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He has taken oath of office to secure and protect lives and property. This is not acceptable, this cannot continue. Mr President must rise up and address the nation.”