Attacks on Benue People an Extension of Boko Haram Terrorism - Benue Governor told BBC | CNR

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has described Fulani herdsmen attacks on Benue people as a deliberate extension of the notorious Boko Haram terrorist activities in the state.  

He said the manner in which the armed men invade communities of the state and slaughter innocent people is not different from the mindless acts of Boko Haram in the Noth Eastern part of the country.

The Governor who carefully avoided calling the marauders "Fulani Herdsmen" in what can be seen as a sudden change of stance, however described herdsmen attacks on Benue State as an extension of the terrorism perpetrated by Boko Haram.

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Governor Ortom made this known  during a live interview with British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC World Service on Wednesday.

"They come with sophisticated weapons and kill people, matchet them and chase them away", Mr. Ortom told BBC reporter.

He noted that equally disturbing in the pattern of attacks by the armed militia is their trademark of occupying communities after killing and sacking the inhabitants.

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"In some cases, they do not have the herds. They just come with their weapons, kill and chase the people out and take over the land and that is the worrisome part of it", the Governor stressed.

He condemned recent attacks by the armed men on Gwer West Local Government Area of the state which left many people dead and property worth millions destroyed, insisting that the trend of attacks on Benue is beyond mere grazing of livestock.

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While arguing that if the invaders were only interested in grazing, the massive destruction of lives and property would not have been their priority, Ortom emphasized the need for greater security presence in parts of the state known to be flashpoints in order to avoid further loss of lives and worsening humanitarian crisis with over 170,000 internally displaced persons in various camps across the state.