Makurdi
Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state has asked the military to take their exercise into hinterland affected by the herdsmen invasion to ensure that those displaced go back to their homes.
Ortom, who stated this yesterday when the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai paid him a visit at the People’s House, Makurdi, noted that more than 150,000 persons were living under harsh conditions in the internally displaced persons (IDP) camps.
He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for approving Operation Ayem Akpatuma in the state, noting that the presence of the military would restore confidence in the people within the affected areas.
He said the law in Benue was not targeted at any group of persons, maintaining that it was meant to bring peace between the herdsmen and the local farmers.
“It is our desire that you will build confidence in the displaced persons and they will return to their homes.
“We also hope that the killers of our people are completely arrested or made to leave us alone,” he stated.
Earlier, Buratai had said he was in the state to flag off Exercise Ayem Akpatuma, which is expected to cover the whole of Benue and neighbouring states.
He said Exercise Ayem Akpatuma was an Exercise that would help familiarise the troops to the challenge of internal security and would be jointly conducted with other security forces, especially the police, DSS and paramilitary organisations.
