Politicians Instigating Insecurity In Benue, Gov. Ortom Alleges

Governor Samuel OrtomGovernor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has blamed political opponents within his All Progressives Congress (APC) for the current insecurity in the state.

Ortom, who spoke at a joint news conference held by the State Security Council at the police headquarters in Makurdi, the state capital yesterday, insisted that some influential individuals were behind certain crimes in the state.

Represented by his deputy, Engr. Benson Abounu, the governor said that some politicians, who he did not mention, were uncomfortable with the success of the amnesty programme initiated by his administration, last year.

He claimed that these group of disgruntled politicians instigated the current insecurity situation, led by a wanted militia kingpin, Terwase Akwaza aka Ghana.

“Some people saw the amnesty programme which was very successful as a threat to their political base”, he said.

“So, these political individuals instigated the insecurity we now have. Our investigations, so far, have been pointing to the fact that Akwaza is the creation of political class”.

Gov. Ortom added that the people not happy with the APC-led government in the state were perpetrating criminal activities to undermine the success of the amnesty programme.