The Benue state Security Council has slammed a N5million price tag on the wanted militant leader, Mr. Terwase Agwaza, also known as “Gana” for his alleged involvement in series of abductions, killings, robberies, cattle rustling and other violent crimes in parts of the state.
Governor Samuel Ortom made this know yesterday while inaugurating the state, local government, district and ward security committees entrusted with the responsibilities of ensuring peaceful coexistence between herdsmen and farmers across the state.
The Governor explained that the wanted militant leader was granted amnesty by his government “after which he was given the job of collecting revenue for the state government but he rather opted to be a terrorist.
“He has to face the law, though he is on the run but security agencies will certainly get him, the search for him is continuing, we are being careful in the search so as not to harm law-abiding citizens or incur collateral damage.”
Ortom said the inauguration of the committees became necessary following the coming of dry season which meant that herdsmen would be moving about with cattle in the state.
Governor Ortom said similar committees would be inaugurated by his Security Adviser, Colonel Edwin Jando(Rtd) at the district and ward levels and observed that even as Benue’s position was, that ranching would be the final solution to the problem of farmers/herdsmen frequent clashes, the matter would be handled gradually with the sensitization of cattle breeders and other stakeholders.
He said those who cause problems between farmers and herdsmen usually come into the state from other countries and urged the committees to liaise with indigenous herdsmen who should keep such troublemakers on check.
Benue state Chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, Alhaji Garus Gololo, on his part, said he would liaise with his counterpart in Nasarawa state to ensure that foreign herdsmen did not come to Benue to create problems.
COMMENTS