Security: Over 100 DSS, Army, Police, Civil Defence officials killed in Benue, Ortom laments

By Folorunso Alagbede, Abuja

The Governor of Benue State, Dr Samuel Ortom on Tuesday lamented that over one hundred security personnel from the Directorate of State Services, DSS, police, Army and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps have been killed in the State in the course of restoring and keeping peace.

Dr Ortom stated this yesterday while fielding questions from Journalists in Abuja.

This is even as the Governor raised the alarm that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has been hijacked by persons who do not mean well for the country and its citizens.

Ortom similarly faulted the direct primary system recommended by the National Assembly for registered political parties in the country in the choice of their candidates, saying that it is not in the best interest of the country.

The Governor, while saying that the All Progressives Congress, APC, led government has failed in virtually all areas, lamented that many Nigerians

have been intimidated to the point that they “cannot speak, they cannot open up to even advice the presidency”

Speaking about the level of insecurity in the land, Ortom said, “Security agencies in Benue state, more than 100 of them. DSS, Police, Army, and civil defence, more than 100 of them have a killed in Benue state, in course of their trying to keep peace, restore peace in our country. So this is a challenge.

“So you can see that the federal government is helpless. We all need to join hands together, to help this federal government, they have failed.

“They have not performed and unless we all rise up whether you are a journalist, a politician, a civil servant, a security man, a famer, whoever you are, these government have demonstrated that they have no capacity at all because the primary responsibility of any responsible government is to provide security for life’s  and properties.

“But when government fails in its primary responsibility, it means there’s a problem, that this country does not belong to me as governor or to the president, or national assembly, or state houses of assembly. It belongs to all of us.

“Those of us who are here today as leaders, we are here on temporary basis. We will not be there tomorrow. But we have a responsibility to preserve our country, Nigeria” he said.

While stating that President Buhari had good intention when he came to power in 2015, the Benue State Governor noted with regrets that some cabals have taken over this country and are now driving this country to the mud.

His words, “I know that Mr President intended well when he came in 2015 but some cabals have taken over this country and they are driving this country to the mud.

‘I’m not sure Mr President is aware or if he is aware. I believe that he would rise up to his responsibility and take steps that will correct what is happening in our country.

“Many people have been intimidated, they cannot speak, they cannot open up to even advice the presidency.

“We are getting to a level that if action is not t taken to redeem the situation we are in, tomorrow, we will wake up see that an unknown gunmen will take over the country and we will not be able to stand on our feet.

“So for me, I’m concerned as a Nigerian, as a patriotic person, who wants things to work, who believes in Nigeria, as you can see this symbol of unity of the colours what I wear and I carry everywhere around the world wherever you are in this world, I wear these colours, to show that I believe in Nigeria.

“First of all, I believe in my own state, the Tiv, the Idoma, the Igede people, uniting and working together and bring prosperity and of course in Nigeria, green white green, I believe in the unity of this country.

When asked if he had ever told the President about the general situation of things in the country, the Governor responded, “ How I wish you have the opportunity to ask the President this question you are asking me. I have done that and I will do it again if I have another opportunity again, I will draw his attention to it

“I have recommended to him what I think in my opinion, will help us salvage this country, because I know, even as governor, the challenges I have and the challenges of Mr President is 35 times more than the one I have.

“So I have always been objective, I have always been frank to Mr President every time I have the opportunity to discuss with him.

“Left to me alone, this issue of herdsmen wouldn’t have lasted this long because I have told him the truth and of course, you can see that the ranching programme he started in 2016.