Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state yesterday said he was not afraid and would never succumb to threats to his life by those who do not want implementation of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law in the state.
Ortom, who stated this at the Benue Peoples House Makurdi, during a courtesy call on him by the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Makurdi branch noted that he had received security report that herdsmen were threatening to assassinate him if he continues with implementation of the law prohibiting open grazing.
He said his life was not in the hands of any man except God.
“If it is not the will of God, no man has the right to take my life or stop the ongoing implementation of the ranching law of the state’ he added.
The governor urged people of the state to remain steadfast till impunity is defeated in Nigeria, adding “no sacrifice is too big in the struggle to end the genocide being perpetrated by Fulani herdsmen in parts of Benue state.”
According to the governor, it is time for Benue sons and daughters put away political differences and unite to speak with one voice against invasion and occupation of their land which has left many people dead and property worth billions destroyed.
“The Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law has come to stay and no amount of intimidation could make the state stop implementing of the legislation.
“I believe that President Buhari would take further steps to stop the killing of innocent people and arrest those behind the genocide especially leaders of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore who had threatened to resist the law,” he said.
While appreciating the NBA for the consolatory visit, Governor Ortom said he was happy that he had not done the wrong thing by enacting a law that seeks to protect his people.
“Ranching is a global best practice, that is why have ranched and that is what President of this country, Muhammadu Buhari is also practising ranching,” he maintained.
Earlier, Chairman NBA Makurdi branch, Mr. Emmanuel Agbakor, said the gruesome killings violate the right to life of Benue citizens as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution.
He chided the “total lack of concern exhibited by the President regarding the killings in Benue State,” stressing that the massacre was worse than the flood incidence which caught the apt attention of the federal government.
While commending Governor Ortom for his efforts towards ensuring peace in the state and for ensuring the implementation of the Open Grazing Prohibition Law, Mr. Agbakor called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of actors of the heinous crime.
