‘How we crawled in bush like snakes to avoid bullets’ – Ortom’s aide on encounter with herdsmen

Abrahams Kwaghngu, the Principal Special Assistant (PSA) on Special Duties to Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State, has narrated how himself and his principal crawled to safety during their encounter with gunmen on Saturday morning.

IDOMA VOICE had reported how gunmen opened fire on the convoy of the governor who was returning from his farm.

Making reference to 2 Samuel 22:2 in the Bible, Kwaghngu said, “And he said, the LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer,”

At a gathering on Saturday, the governor’s aide gave glory to God for saving their lives.

He said, “I deeply appreciate God for yet again manifesting Himself strong as our protector and deliverer. His Excellency, Governor Samuel Ortom, as a passionate farmer despite his busy schedule finds time to attend to his farm mostly on weekends.

“The Governor accompanied by myself and his security details visited his farm today located at Tyo Mu, along Makurdi/Gboko Road before Abinsi outside Makurdi metropolis.

“The Governor and myself along with few security details parked our vehicles by the highway and walked for about two kilometers to his farm where he attended to his farm by the river bank and it was on our way back to our vehicles that suddenly we ran into an ambush mounted by well-armed suspected Fulani militia all dressed in black who opened fire on us.

“His Excellency and I had to run through the rough terrain for about a kilometer and a half, at times crawling to avoid the showers of bullets fired at us by the gunmen. Thank God for the gallantry, proactiveness and courage demonstrated by the nine security details who were with the Governor who immediately responded with fire to provide cover for us. The Governor probably was the target for this evil assassination attempt by strange gunmen. By divine providence, Governor Ortom, myself and the security details escaped the ambush and safely made our way back to the Governor’s lodge.”

The Benue State Commissioner of Police, Audu Madaki, also commented on the attack.

In a statement by DSP Catherine Anene, Police Public Relations Officer in the state, he said, “Saturday 20th March, 2021 at about 1200hrs a distress call was received from one of the police officers deployed as Escort to the Governor of Benue State, His Excellency, Samuel Ortom that, while on escort duty with the Governor to his farm located at Abua Village, Gboko road, Makurdi; some armed men numbering about 15 came out from the bush and started shooting sporadically at His Excellency’s entourage. He stated further that they were able to repel the attackers and secure the Governor back to Benue Peoples House, Makurdi unhurt.

“Upon receipt of this information, a team of police officers was detailed to the scene to prevent further breakdown of law and order and on the spot assessment of the crime scene.”

While condemning the unprovoked attack on the Governor, he commended officers who were involved in the gun duel for bravery.