Ortom laments as Benue holds second mass burial in three months

Samuel Ortom, governor of Benue state, says the activities of “killer herdsmen” have led to too much blood shed in the state.

He said this on Thursday at St. Bernard Primary School Ugwu-Okpoga in Okpokwu local government area (LGA) of the state where a funeral service held in honour of 26 victims of herdsmen attacks in Omusu and Okana communities.

The service was supposed to hold last week but the government postponed it because of the visit of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The president visited Benue on Monday.

Speaking at the funeral, the governor called on security agencies to arrest the leadership of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore.

He also said there was no going back on the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment law.

Ortom assured Benue people that his administration would continue to respond swiftly to security challenges.

In a sermon, Akpena Leva, a reverend and chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Benue, spoke on the need for security.

He also asked God to grant the governor and the people the strength to bear the loss.

On January 11, Benue held a mass burial for the 73 persons killed in clashes between farmers and herdsmen.