Fayose arrives in Benue to sympathise with Ortom

Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, arrived in Benue State on Thursday, February 8, 2018, to commiserate with Governor Samuel Ortom on the death of scores of people in the state in January.

The state has been thrown into a security crisis in the past few weeks after attacks allegedly perpetrated by herdsmen has led to the death of scores of people, with many injured, and thousands displaced.

Fayose was received by Ortom upon arrival in Makurdi, the state capital, as the two left the airport together.

Fayose has been highly critical of the Federal Government's handling of the crisis and has openly opposed the plan by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to create cattle colonies across the country to solve the problem of clashes between farmers and herders which is believed to be the cause of the attacks.

Ortom was also paid a courtesy visit by Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday, February 7, who also criticised the Federal Government for failing to secure lives and properties in the country.

Benue attacks

In attacks allegedly carried out by Fulani herdsmen in Guma and Logo Local Government Area of Benue between Sunday, December 31, 2017, and Tuesday, January 2, 2018, 50 people were reportedly killed.

11 other people were killed in a fresh attack on Tombu village of Logo LGA, again by suspected Fulani herdsmen, on Saturday, January 6.

The bodies of 73 men, women and children were buried at a mass burial ceremony organised by the state government on January 11.