Pascal Arogorn Ibe
….Attempt On Governor Ortom’s Life A Shock And Rude Awakening – NGF
Mohammed Adamu, inspector-general of police (IGP), has ordered an investigation into the attack on the convoy of Samuel Ortom, governor of Benue.
On Saturday, gunmen attacked the governor’s convoy while on a visit to a farm.
The incident was said to have occurred at Tyo Mu along Makurdi-Gboko road.
Narrating the incident, Ortom described the gunmen as “herders”, noting that it took the intervention of his security aides to wade them off.
Frank Mba, spokesperson of the Nigeria police force, in a statement on Sunday, said the inspector-general of police has directed the commissioner of police in the state to carry “painstaking investigations” into the attack.
Adamu assured residents of the state of the force commitment to stabilise the security situation in the country, while directing the deployment of “a team of specialised investigators” to the state.
“The IGP has also specifically directed the CP to carry out painstaking investigations into the incident and ensure the arrest and prosecution of persons indicted in the course of the investigations,” the statement said.
“Meanwhile, in order to ensure a speedy, thorough and conclusive investigation into the matter, the IGP has ordered the immediate deployment of a team of specialized investigators from the force criminal investigations department, Abuja, to Benue state to provide additional investigative support to the Benue state police command.”
MEANWHILE The Nigeria Governor’s Forum (NGF) says the news of the broad daylight attempt to cut short the life of the Governor of Benue State, Dr. Samuel Ortom, is shocking and a rude awakening.
The NGF in a statement on Sunday empathized with the governor and the people of Benue State on the sad, cowardly, and wicked plan.
Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti state who is also Chairman of the NGF vehemently condemned the act in its entirety.
In his communique on behalf of the forum, Fayemi said 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.
“Only recently the brother of one of the former governors of the state was mowed down in cold blood. This dishonourable and shameful act of resorting to violence, for whatever reason, to eliminate citizens of Benue State by brutal means must not continue.
“The NGF as a platform for all the 36 Governors will continue to encourage its members to stand firm in the service of their people regardless of the evil machinations of those who do not wish Nigeria well.
“Evil will not be allowed to triumph over good, not in Benue and not anywhere in this country,” the statement partly read.
The NGF chairman further noted that while all governors will continue to pray for Governor Ortom, the attention of all evildoers must be drawn to the fact that not only will they continue to fail in their wicked acts, but they will also definitely be traced and punished for their crimes, no matter how long it takes.
Governor Fayemi reiterated that the NGF prays for Governor Ortom and wishes him long life as his safety and that of all the people of Benue State continue to be paramount to the NGF.
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