Chidi Samuel|
Benue state governor, Samuel Ortom, on Friday alleged that herdsmen are planning to torture and kill him.
The governor made the allegation in Makurdi, the Benue state capital during an interactive session with the church, traditional institution, and some stakeholders.
The embattled governor who has been at loggerheads with Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, the umbrella body for herdsmen, following the signing of the anti-grazing law in the state, said he received intelligence report that herdsmen who are currently occupying parts of Guma local government area of the state, were already hatching plans to attack him along the Abuja-Lafia road.
Ortom told the gathering, “The armed herdsmen, according to the intelligence report, would ensure that all my security aides were killed, after which they would kidnap and torture me before killing me.”
“Already, I have reported the matter to the police and other security agencies and they are aware of this.
“Therefore, anytime my spirit doesn’t allow me to travel by road, I would call flight operators. But, just a few days ago, the federal government issued a circular directing that no flight should land in Makurdi airport again.”
According to him, the killings across the country is an attempt to prevent the electorate from voting for leaders of their choice in the 2019 general election.