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General News of Saturday, 13 March 2021

Source: punchng.com

No more amnesty for criminals in Benue - Ortom

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom on Saturday said that there is no more amnesty for criminals in the state.

The Governor who spoke at the burial of Terkura Suswam at Anyinne also lamented the conspiracy of silence among the people which he said was making the crisis to rage unabated.

Terkura Suswam, the elder brother of former governor of the state, Senator Gabriel Suswam was murdered by some gunmen at his country home, Anyiin in Logo Local Government Area of the state.

Ortom who condemned in strong terms the criminality in the three local government area of Sankera, Logo, Ukum and Katsina-Alla said that his government would no longer negotiate with any criminal.

He reiterated his administration’s commitment to go after those who have taken into criminality in the state, particularly Sankera axis.

Ortom said, “From intelligence report, some members of the community are supporting these criminals which makes it difficult for security men.

“I want to assure youths in the state not only in Sankera that we are going to go after these criminals and by the grace of God we will get them.

“There is no more amnesty, no more negotiation with them (criminals) except they come back like the prodigal son and plead for forgiveness.

The Governor appealed to Sankera people to support the government and security agencies to be able to restore normalcy in the troubled local governments.

Governor Ortom described the killing of late Terkura as shocking and regretted that his murder may discourage indigenes who wish to invest in their respective localities.

According to the Governor, “What our administration is encouraging is local investors since the government cannot provide a job for everybody. With the number of investments Terkura had established in Anyiin, thousands of youths were taken out of labour market.

“So for him to be killed this way is very unfortunate. Other people who may be planning to come home to invest will be discouraged.”