Governor Samuel Samuel Ortom of Benue state Monday said the herdsmen coming into Benue were doing so not for the purpose of grazing, but killing and destroying property.
Governor Ortom, who spoke in an interview with newsmen at Government House, noted that the marauders usually come without cattle and attack communities in gorilla style of warfare, kill, burn houses and destroy other properties.
He said though the security operatives in the state were making serious efforts to contain influx and attacks of the herdsmen, they needed more personnel to adequately handle it.
He noted that the state government had provided vehicles and mobilsed security operatives working in the state, and had mobilised the Agro Rangers, who were putting in place more personnel and resources to tackle the security challenge brought in by the invading herders.
“This is a very trying time for the state because we are having communal crisis and external aggression.
“On the external aggression, the herdsmen are using guerilla warfare. They come without cattle, kill, burn down houses and then go to another place and do the same thing.
“Most of them are coming to Benue not for the purpose of grazing but killing and destroying property.
“With the security situation in the state, we require more personnel to be sent by the authority in charge because as I talk to you now, they cannot be everywhere. That is why I talked about being overstreched, considering the magnitude of the problem at hand. I think the Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) on its part has gone ahead to mobilise from the air, land and sea.
“We are still working together to see how best we can contain the situation, I believe strongly that things will work out.
On whether the Middle Belt region is considering establishing their security outfit Ortom said, “every region is working or planning towards establishing their own security outfit and I think we are going to meet very soon as North-central governors.”