Former Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has raised concerns over the lack of action following President Bola Tinubu’s directive to address worsening insecurity in Benue State. Weeks after the President’s visit to the state in the aftermath of the Yelewata massacre, Ortom revealed that no follow-up meetings or coordinated security efforts have been initiated.
President Tinubu visited Benue on June 18, following a gruesome attack in Yelewata that claimed over 100 lives, and called for collaboration between Governor Hyacinth Alia, former governors, and traditional rulers to curb violence in the region.
However, in an interview with Channels Television on Monday, Ortom disclosed that the president’s call is yet to be acted upon.
“We have not had any meeting, so maybe we are still waiting if the governor calls to go there, because Benue State belongs to us, and there is no way we can allow this to continue to happen,” Ortom said.
The attack hit close to home for Ortom, as the affected area is within his local government area, and, according to him, holds deep personal and ancestral ties.
“The mother of my father comes from that Yelewata. So, it is as good as home,” he said.
Reflecting on His Tenure and Security Failures
Looking back on his time as governor, Ortom noted that he worked closely with traditional institutions and security agencies to protect communities but lamented the federal government’s lack of support under former President Buhari’s administration.
He criticized past policies such as Ruga and cattle colonies, labelling them a “camouflage to deceive Nigerians”, and insisted that open grazing remains a major trigger of conflict between herders and farmers.
“There is no way cattle rearing and farmers can cohabit. There will be crisis,” he said, citing global best practices where ranching has proven more effective and peaceful.
Allegations of Foreign Invasion
Ortom further alleged that some of the violent incursions in Benue are being carried out by foreign mercenaries, claiming involvement of individuals from Chad, Niger, Senegal, Mali, and Libya, with the cooperation of local collaborators.
“It is a deliberate attempt to wipe out a particular people. That is the truth,” he asserted.
Acknowledging Tinubu’s Effort
Despite the delay in action, Ortom commended President Tinubu for his personal visit to the scene of the Yelewata tragedy and for ordering the arrest of perpetrators, something he said never happened under the previous government.
“This government, when the Yelewata attack happened, the president went there himself. This did not happen when the former government was there,” Ortom said.
As insecurity continues to devastate rural communities in Benue, Ortom’s remarks have reignited calls for urgent coordination and action from state authorities, particularly Governor Alia, to fulfill the president’s directive and prevent further loss of life
