Ortom vows to protect Benue's anti-grazing from 'outside forces'

macfranc007 September 22, 2018 Nigeria News today & Breaking news ▷ Read Naija news 24/7 Akinyemi Akinrujomu

- Governor Ortom said the 200 herdsmen were arrested for violating Benue's anti-grazing law and 49 of them have been convicted

- Ortom says he is ready to die in the defense of his people who have suffered great loss of lives an properties in the hands of killer herdsmen

- The governor also promised to protect the anti-grazing law from 'outside forces' because he sees it as the only to peace for his people

Benue governor, Samuel Ortom has expressed his satisfaction at the implementation of the state’s anti-grazing law which has led to the arrest of around 200 herdsmen.

Ortom said of those herdsmen arrested for grazing their herds in the wrong places, 49 have been convicted by courts of law.

The governor also expressed his readiness to lay down his life in defense of the people of the state.

Daily Sun reports that Governor Ortom revealed the statistics and made the declaration on Friday, September 21 in Abuja while speaking at the maiden public lecture of the Conference of Benue Journalists.

The governor was presented with an award for the defense of Benue at the event and he vowed ‎to resist attempt from outside forces to repeal the law.

Ortom, who also lamented the plight of IDPs, insisted that only ranching could keep the peace in the state and he promised to ensure that nothing stops the anti-grazing law.

He said: “I stand on the path of truth and on the defense of my people who elected me. As long as I am alive, I will continue to defend my people and the unity of this country.

PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android and read best news on Nigeria’s #1 news app

Over 200 people who would have been in school are currently at home while about 500 thousand IDPs are scattered across various camps in the state. Some died while running away from death.

"When the Sharia law was enacted in Zamfara state, Benue indigenes who were not comfortable with the law relocated to their state. How can we achieve development in the midst of lawlessness?”

Meanwhile, Governor Ortom on Thursday, September 20 confirmed that the state received N14.9 billion final tranche of the Paris Club refund from the federal government.

NAIJ.com reported that the Benue state leader vowed to use 80% of the funds for payment of salaries, pensions and gratuities.

A statement obtained by NAIJ.com through Ortom's chief press secretary, Terver Akase, which confirmed receipt of the funds, said the governor is working on how to properly share the money.

The statement read in part: ''Ortom has also set up a committee headed by the deputy governor, Engineer Benson Abounu to work out modalities for immediate disbursement of the funds."

Benue Elders Speak on Herdsmen Attacks - on NAIJ.com TV