“All hands must be on deck to uncover the identities of those involved in this heinous crime.”
The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has reacted to a purported assassination attempt on Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom by unidentified Fulani militias saying any attempt to make the state ungovernable is unacceptable and will fail woefully.
Some suspected armed Fulani militias had on Saturday attacked Ortom’s convoy while on a visit to a farm at Tyo Mu along Makurdi-Gboko road.
Ortom, in a press conference after the incident, said the armed men, numbering about 15, trailed his convoy to the river bank where he was on foot with his security details and opened fire on them.
The NGF chairman, Kayode Fayemi, in a statement, described the broad daylight attack on Ortom as “shocking and a rude awakening”.
Fayemi on behalf of the NGF empathized with the governor and people of Benue while condemning the attack.
The NGF recalled that the brother of a former governor of the state was recently killed by gunmen, adding that such violence must be brought to an end.
“All hands must be on deck to uncover the identities of those involved in this heinous crime,” the statement reads.
“The NGF wishes to state categorically that the attempt to make Benue State ungovernable is unacceptable and will fail woefully.
“Only recently the brother of one of the former governors of the state was mowed down in cold blood. This dishonourable and shameful act of resorting to violence, for whatever reason, to eliminate citizens of Benue State by brutal means must not continue.”
NGF said it will continue to encourage its members to stand firm in the service of their people regardless of the evil machinations of those who do not wish Nigeria well.
It noted that “evil will not be allowed to triumph over good, not in Benue and not anywhere in this country”.
“While all governors will continue to pray for Governor Ortom, the NGF wishes to draw the attention of all evil doers that not only will they continue to fail in their wicked acts, but they will also definitely be traced and punished for their crimes, no matter how long it takes,” it reads.
“Once again, the NGF prays for Governor Ortom and wishes him long life as his safety and that of all the people of Benue State continue to be paramount to the NGF.”
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