Suspected herdsmen on Saturday afternoon attacked the convoy of the Benue state governor, Samuel Ortom.
The incident, according to the state government official, happened at Tyo Mu along Makurdi/Gboko road.
It was also gathered that the governor was on his way to Makurdi, the state capital when the suspected herdsmen opened fire on his convoy but were repelled by his security men.
Details later..
Armed herdsmen open gunfire on Gov. Ortom
by PM News
Gun-toting herdsmen have attacked Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom near Makurdi, the capital.
According to Channels Television, the attack happened on Saturday at Tyo Mu along Makurdi/Gboko road.
Briefing journalists, Governor Ortom said about 15 assailants trailed him to the river bank where he was on foot to inspect a farm.
The governor praised his six security details for responding quickly to the attack, repelling the assailants and providing cover for him to return to safety in his vehicles.
He said troops of Operation Whirl Stroke, the police and DSS have mobilised to the forest between Tyo-Mu and Abinse where the armed herdsmen camped to comb the area.
He also called for the arrest and prosecution of the leadership of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore.
The group at a meeting in Yola reportedly called for Ortom’s assassination.
Ortom asked President Muhammadu Buhari and the security chiefs to expect a formal petition from his lawyers and move quickly to arrest the situation.
Ortom: How herdsmen opened fire on my convoy
by The Cable
Samuel Ortom, governor of Benue, has narrated how gunmen suspected to be herdsmen attacked his convoy on Saturday.
The incident was said to have occurred at Tyo Mu along Makurdi-Gboko road while on a visit to a farm.
The governor, who confirmed the incident to journalists, described the gunmen as “herders”.
He said the armed men, numbering about 15, trailed his convoy to the river bank where he was on foot with his security details to inspect a farm and opened fire on them.
Ortom praised his security details “who were just about six” for responding quickly to the attackers and repelling the armed men promptly before providing cover for him to return to safety.
The governor added that troops of operation whirl stroke, the police, and operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), have mobilised to the forest between Tyo Mu and Abinse where the armed herdsmen are thought to be camped.
He also called for the arrest and prosecution of the leadership of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore.
In reaction to a comment made by Bala Mohammed, governor of Bauchi, that herdsmen have no option but to carry AK-47 to protect themselves, Ortom had warned all herders in the state to respect the laws prohibiting the carrying of unlicensed arms.
“Anyone who is not willing to respect the laws of our land should go and meet Bala Mohammed, and there you can carry AK-47, and you’ll not be apprehended. Here, when you come, we’ll apprehend you. I want this to be known,” he had said.
Following backlash, Mohammed cautioned herders against carrying AK-47 rifle, saying his earlier statement was a figurative allusion.