MORE SECURITY DEPLOYMENTS IN BENUE TO STOP ATTACKS - ORTOM.{PHOTOS}.

     The Federal Government has deployed a combined team of security agents to contain herdsmen attacks on Benue communities, Governor Ortom stated.

He made the disclosure on the floor of the Benue State House of Assembly yesterday to brief members on efforts to end killings in the state.

The Governor stated that the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai was already in the state touring flashpoints in parts of the state including Logo, Guma and Katsina-Ala Local Government Areas with a view to flushing out the marauders.

He informed the Assembly that additional joint forces coordinated by defense headquarters were in the state to address the security challenges.

The Governor said people asked for a law to prohibit open grazing of livestock to stop killings by herdsmen and that both the Benue Peoples House and the State Assembly were occupied severally by protesters to have the ranching legislation passed.

He said following the passage of the ranching law and his assent threats emanated from Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore to resist the law, stressing that reports of such threats were presented to the Presidency and security agencies but no action was taken until the attacks started on the January 1st, 2018.

While assuring the Assembly of his continued efforts to ensure security for lives and property, the Governor stated that with the present steps taken by the Federal Government, peace would soon return to Benue.

Commenting on the recent arrest of the leader of Livestock Guards, Alhaji Aliyu Tershaku, Governor Ortom said he had allowed security agencies to do their investigation and come out with their findings.

He stated however that he inherited Alhaji Tershaku as leader of the defunct Civilian Joint Taskforce for Benue and Nasarawa States, saying when Livestock Guards was formed, he decided to make Alhaji Tershaku leader over it on account of his experience in security matters.

Governor Ortom enjoined the members to talk to their constituents on the need to coexist peacefully, saying it was uncalled for to have internal wranglings when the state was facing external aggression.Responding on behalf of members, Speaker of the House, Mr. Terkimbi Ikyange said they were satisfied with the Governor's presenting, expressing the hope that the additional security deployments would end attacks on Benue people by militia herdsmen.More photos below.