Ortom: We’ll use force to flush out criminals from Benue

Samuel Ortom, governor of Benue state, says force will now be applied in ending insecurity in the state.

Ortom said this while speaking with state house correspondents in Abuja on Thursday.

Benue state has been the worst hit by clashes between herdsmen and farmers.

The governor, who had earlier held a private meeting with Yemi Osinbajo, vice president, said that an olive branch was held out to criminals in the state but they chose to continue in their ways.

“The carrot approach succeeded to some extent with many people surrendering arms. But some went back to their old ways because they are not sincere,” he said.

“We have now adopted the stick approach. All security agencies in the state must restore safety to the state. The state must be secured from robbers, kidnappers and assassins. We need to get rid of criminals from our society.

“We also intend to encourage investors and they will not come if the state is not secured.”

President Muhammadu Buhari had on different occasions directed security agencies to put an end to the clashes between herdsmen and farmers across the country.