The Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, has vowed to tackle insecurity head-on in his state.
This is just as he describe the gruesome killing of 16 people at Wandoo, Mbalom, in the Gwer-East Local Government Area of the state by suspected armed herders as a test to his administration.
The governor stated this in a condolence message issued through his Chief Press Secretary, Kula Tersoo, to the families of those who lost loved ones in the Thursday night attack.
It reads in part, “armed herders last Thursday, 7th of March, 2024 at about 7 pm invaded the Wan-doo community in Mbalom of Gwer East LGA and killed scores of natives.
“We gave these criminals orders to leave the state immediately. We also gave an ultimatum to those practising open grazing in the state to ensure they comply with the law or leave the state within 14 days.
“That ultimatum has since elapsed. I can see what happened at Wandoo is a calculated attempt to test the resolve of my government over the matter I have already given priority.”
He stated that criminals under whatever guise who found their way into the state should know that the time is up.
He added that, there is no going back on strict enforcement of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law (2017).
