The Benue State Governor-elect, Dr. Samuel Ortom, has appealed to security agencies to redouble their efforts to stop the renewed violence in Agatu and Guma Local Government Areas.
This was contained in a statement by the Media Adviser to Benue State Governor-elect, Tahav Agerzua, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday.
The statement stated that Ortom decried the recent clash between communities in Agatu as well as attacks on several communities in Mbadwem ward of Guma Local Government Area on Saturday.
Ortom pledged to collaborate with relevant authorities to find a permanent solution to such crises, which he said were “sad, unfortunate, avoidable and reprehensible.”
He expressed regrets that the renewed violence had further compounded the poverty level in the affected areas and set the clock of development backwards.
The governor-elect commiserated with the families of those who lost their loved ones in the areas and prayed that God would comfort them.
Ortom appealed to governments at all levels, individuals and organisations to provide support that would cushion the effect of the crises.
He noted with concerns the influx of herdsmen into the state, urging security agencies, traditional and community leaders to forestall further attacks and promote peace building and mutual coexistence.
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