We do not have 6,000 armed militia in Benue – Gov. Ortom.

   Governor Samuel  Ortom of Benue State has denied allegation that his state was harboring 6,000
militia to fight herdsmen.
He said:  “We started the implementation of
the open grazing prohibition law on
November 1, 2017 and it went on well here
and people who flouted the law are already
facing prosecution.
“Those who were not herdsmen that went
after the cattle of herdsmen are currently
being prosecuted. I know that three youths are
currently in remand and are being prosecuted
for rustling and for killing a herdsmen and
other associated crimes.
“They are facing trial at the moment. On the
other hand, about 18 herdsmen are also
remanded and are facing trial for violating the
law.
“So this shows that we are law abiding people
and we will always seek to do the right thing.
That is what l always tell my people to do.
That is why when people brought the issue
and allegation of armed militia in Benue I
didn’t give it any attention.
“You are all witnesses and saw that when I
came in, I disarmed those militia gangs we
had here and those weapons we recovered
from them were publicly destroyed.
“Moreover if I have armed 6,000 militia as
being alleged, don’t you think I would have
sent and kept them in my own council ward
in Guma local government where no
herdsman would come and take and kill my
people in cold blood?”