There are more killings in Rivers, Ortom replies Wike

John Charles, Makurdi

The Governor of Benue State, Dr. Samuel Ortom, has called on Rivers State Governor, Mr. Nyesom Wike, to face the crisis in his state, saying there were more killings in Rivers than in Benue.

Ortom said this on Thursday in reaction to Wike’s call on Federal Government to declare state of emergency on Benue over the killings in the state.

Wike had in a statement accused Ortom of “ineptitude”, adding that Benue had been in the news for wanton killings, which shows that the government has not done much in the area of security.

Ortom however fired back, describing Wike’s statement as laughable.

He said, “It is unfortunate that someone of his status will be making such outburst because there are more killings in Rivers than Benue.

“In Rivers, there is no rule of law but here in Benue there is rule of law; that is why we have taken proactive steps to stop the Fulani herdsmen attacks on our people.

“We have sent an anti-grazing bill to the state house of assembly. When the bill is passed, we will go a step further on the criminality of some hoodlums. We are on top of the situation.

“I inherited a state where everything is comatose; criminality was on its peak but with the steps we have taken, you all are witness to the fact that crime in the state has been reduced to barest minimum.

“But as a leader with fear of God I will continue to pray for him, let God help him to succeed, I leave him with his conscience.”

About 52 persons, including women and children, were on Monday shot dead, with several other people sustaining various degrees of injury, after gunmen invaded Zaki Biam, in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue.