In a heartfelt demonstration of solidarity and concern, the immediate past Governor of Benue State, Chief Samuel Ortom, earlier today visited the devastated community of Yelewata in Guma Local Government Area. The visit comes in the wake of a brutal attack by armed Fulani herders that resulted in the tragic loss of over 200 lives, leaving the community grieving.
Chief Ortom was accompanied by a distinguished delegation, including Rt. Hon. Dickson Tarkighir, the Member representing Makurdi/Guma Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives. Also present were members of the Benue State Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by Rt. Hon. Ezekiel Adaji, alongside other signatories, former appointees of Chief Ortom, and community leaders.
In a consoling tone, Chief Ortom expressed sadness over the attack, describing it as unprovoked and unfortunate. He called on the federal and state governments to intensify efforts in securing the communities and bringing perpetrators to justice.
“Our hearts are heavy with grief for the lives lost and the families devastated by this heinous act. We must stand together as a people and as a nation to ensure such barbaric acts are brought to an end,” Chief Ortom stated. He also reiterated the need for enhanced security measures, including better intelligence gathering and community policing, to prevent future attacks.
The former Governor commended President Bola Tinubu on his condolence visit to the state yesterday following the Yelewata massacre noting particularly the directive of the President to heads of Security agencies to fish out the perpetrators of the heinous act.
He donated 200 bags of rice and funds to cushion the effect of the attack on the community and commended the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume for visiting the community, assuring that as a son of the area based on his maternal ties with the Yelewata community and as a stakeholder in Guma, he would liaise with the SGF to remind the President to fulfil all the promises he made to Yelewata community.
On his part, Rt. Hon. Dickson Tarkighir commended the former Governor for the visit, describing Chief Ortom as a visionary leader who saw the security challenges the country is currently facing from a far and took proactive steps to protect the people. He called on the community to unite with their leaders irrespective of party affiliations to overcome the security challenges bedevilling the state.
State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, ( PDP) Rt. Hon. Ezekiel Adaji on his part, expressed shock on the magnitude of the Yelwata attacks and called on the Governor of Benue State, Hyacinth Alia to enforce the state Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law, insisting that the law remains the only panacea for the growing herders’ attack on farmers in the state.
Mue Ter Ihyarev, HRH Chief Augustine Shonyi thanked Chief Ortom for identifying with the community in their moment of grief and called on his subjects to shun party politics and unite to fight the common enemy.
