Arewa Consultative Forum And Others Speak On Gov. Ortoms Assassination Attempt

Following the assassination attempt on Samuel Ortom, Benue State Governor, the Arewa Consultative Forum, Northern Governors’ Forum and other prominent groups in the country on Sunday condemned Saturday’s assassination attempt on the governor.

The groups, in separate interviews with pressmen condemned the attack.

Due to the ugly development, the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, on Sunday ordered a full-scale investigation into the incident.

Candidreporters.com earlier reported that Ortom had on Saturday said suspected herdsmen numbering about 15 attacked him in his farm at Tyo-Mu community, near Makurdi, the state capital.

He attributed the attack to his campaign against killer herdsmen, who had been attacking farmers in the state and other parts of the country.

Reacting to the attack, the Northern Governors’ Forum described it as a disturbing development, which must be investigated thoroughly.

In a statement on Sunday by its Chairman and Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong, the group said the attack was another attempt by criminals to cause mayhem not only in Benue State, but also in the nation as a whole.

Also, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum said the attempt by gunmen to make Benue State ungovernable would continue to fail.

In a statement titled, “Attempt On Governor Ortom’s life,” which was signed by the Chairman of the NGF and Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, in Abuja, on Sunday, the governors expressed shock at the attempt on their colleague’s life.

It read in part, “The NGF empathises with the governor and the people of Benue State on this sad, cowardly, and wicked plan and vehemently condemns the act in its entirety.

“All hands must be on deck to uncover the identities of those involved in this heinous crime.

“The NGF wishes to state categorically that the attempt to make Benue State ungovernable is unacceptable and will fail woefully.