Buhari’s visit to Benue sign of hope for end of killings, says Ortom

Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has said President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit to the state next Monday would assist to permanently solve the security challenges in the state.

Ortom expressed the hope yesterday during the handover of the Abagana Internally Displaced Persons Camp at Agan by the Presidential Committee on Flood and Rehabilitation to the state government.

He said the sending of two delegations to assess the extent of damage caused in the state as a result of herdsmen and farmers’ conflict ahead of the President’s visit was a sign of hope that the IDPs would return to their homes soon.

The governor stated the visit might also signal a complete end to the violent attacks on Benue communities by marauding herdsmen.

Ortom thanked the presidential committee for making the camp available to the state to house victims of herdsmen attacks, stating that to complement efforts of the federal government, the state sunk three boreholes in the camp to address the water need.

He also expressed appreciation to public-spirited individuals and organisations that have donated relief materials for the upkeep of the IDPs and prayed God to reward them.

Representative of the chairman of the Committee, Mr. John Owoicho, commended the state government for effectively managing disasters, noting that by the Committee’s rating, Benue was leading in that direction.

Owoicho maintained that the cordial working relationship between the committee and the state government had brought about a synergy that has led to facilities had been provided to guarantee the welfare of the IDPs and expressed the committee’s sympathy to the state over the situation.