Benue state Governor Samuel Ortom Tuesday lamented over the gruesome murder of 23 persons in fresh attacks on two communities by the invading Fulani herders Monday night.
Consequently, the governor has called on Benue people to rise up to defend themselves forthwith.
At least eight persons were mowed down on Monday night by Fulani herdsmen who invaded Mbadwem in Guma local government area while 15 others were killed in Tiortyu in Tarka local government area of the state.
Scores of others were injured and are receiving treatment in unnamed hospital in the state.
The governor, who was visibly angry said, “It is becoming increasingly glaring everyday that my people are now endangered species and so we can no longer wait for help from anywhere.
“My people will have to rise up to the occasion to defend themselves and their heritage against the Fulani army of occupation.
“We are law-abiding citizens. We have cried for help against these invaders but nothing is forthcoming.
“We have been accommodating of other people in our land but our hospitality is misconstrued as weakness. We are not a conquered people. We will never be. We are free born citizens of Nigeria.
“We are left alone and it looks like it is a deliberate strategy. Now we have only one option; to defend ourselves or get extinct. This is a case for our survival.”
Governor Ortom nevertheless enjoined security operatives to do more in crime prevention and protection of lives and property in the land just as he urged the people to cooperate with security agencies to flush out the undesirable elements in the society.
The state government, he said, will not shy away from its commitment to provide welfare and the security for the citizens.
