…Warns mischief makers
Benue state government has stated that it was committed to one indivisible Nigeria and the protection of the rights all ethnic groups residing in the state.
Governor Samuel Ortom stated this yesterday at a meeting with traditional rulers and stakeholders various groups at Benue People’s House, Makurdi.
He said the meeting was a proactive step by his administration to prevent reprisal attacks that were going on in parts of the country as a result of agitations from spreading to Benue.
Ortom, who noted that Benue was not in support of any secession agitation going on in the country, warned mischief makers who would want to cause violence in the state to desist or face the wrath of the law.
He assured members of ethnic nationalities residing in the state of adequate protection of their lives and investments and enjoined them to do their lawful businesses in the state without any fear of molestation.
The governor charged traditional rulers and leaders of the other ethnic groups to take the message of peace to their localities and never hesitate to report any one trying to cause trouble to the authorities for appropriate action.
In his remarks, the Tor Tiv, Prof. James Ayatse, commended the proactive steps of the governor to calm nerves and expressed the commitment of the Tiv traditional area council in ensuring peace and unity of the country.
Also speaking, the Och’Idoma, Elias Ikoyi Obekpa, who described Benue as the “most peaceful state in the country,” said it would not give up that status in support of any agitation, notwithstanding the fact that the economy of the state was dominated by non-indigenes.
In their separate responses, leaders of the South-west, South-south, South-east and the Hausa communities expressed their belief in Nigeria as an indivisible entity.
They assured that their people “will not do anything to jeopardise” their stay in the state.
