Ortom reveals those responsible for killings in Benue

Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, has reacted to the arrest of suspected notorious killer herdsmen, Idi Gemun, Aliyu Teshaku and others by the Nigerian troops in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.

Until his arrest, Aliyu Teshaku, who the Army described as Aminu Yaminu was the head of the Benue State Livestock Guards.

Reacting to the development, Ortom in a statement insisted that anyone found wanting should face the wrath of the law, urging security agencies to be fair in its investigation against Teshaku.

He, however, reiterated that the Myetti Allah Kautal Hore were responsible for the killings in the state.

The statement reads, “Security agencies are at liberty to arrest, detain and investigate anyone, who they may suspect to be involved in security breach or perpetuating insecurity and the arrest of Teshaku is one of such.

“I (earlier) made a statement through my assistant after his arrest that due process should be followed; he should not be victimized but security men should be fair to him. He should be investigated and if at the end he is found culpable, he should be prosecuted.

“So I don’t want to talk about the arrest other than to say: let the needful be done; let there be no victimisation. If at the end an investigation is carried out and he is culpable, let that be.”

“I’ve said it repeatedly; I’ve written and will continue to write and continue to raise alarm that the leadership of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore are responsible for the killings; for the mercenary work that is going on in Benue State.

“I still want to repeat that they are responsible. There are evidences; they are on tape, they have done press conferences and none of them have come out to refute what was credited to them in the media. They’ve said it is about Jihad; it’s not about grazing. They said it is about occupation; about taking over the land.

“The Army said they carried out the operation that led to the arrest of the suspect, jointly with the Police and the Department of State Service (DSS).”