Samuel Ortom, governor of Benue state, on Monday, revealed how he was attacked by suspected herdsmen while at his farm located along Makurdi-Naka road in Makurdi, Benue state capital.
Speaking during an interactive session with newsmen in Makurdi, Ortom said he would not be intimidated, adding that he would continue to speak up for his people.
The governor also reiterated his call for arrest and prosecution of Miyetti Allah leaders for instigating violence against farmers in Benue state.
“I went to my farm last week and the herdsmen who were coming back to Benue state in their numbers shot at me, ” Ortom said.
According to him, he was saved by men of Operation Whirl stroke, an outfit set up by the defence headquarters.
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Ortom berated the fact that herdsmen were allowed to “carry sophisticated weapons more than security agencies, while farmers are arrested for holding cutlasses”.
He said the country is no longer in the 50s and 60s when cows were grazing for free and that herdsmen don’t come into the state to graze but to look for trouble.
“Anti- open grazing prohibition law is still in force and anyone who wants to do business of animal husbandry must embrace ranching,” he said.
