Ortom lauds new measures to end insecurity

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has hailed new strategies by the military to combat insecurity in the country.

Ortom, who on Saturday escaped an attack by 15 armed herdsmen at Tyo-Mu along the Gboko-Makurdi Highway, said he was happy with the plan and renewed vigour by the military to rout insurgents and bandits in all parts of the country.

He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the steps he had so far taken to end the security challenges but reminded Nigerians that they had roles to play in making the country safe.

Ortom spoke while fielding questions from reporters at the Makurdi Airport after his Tuesday meeting with Buhari in Abuja.

Reiterating that the attack on him should not be politicised, the governor said the good thing about the incident was that it reawakened the country.

His words: “The meeting in Abuja was very fruitful and Mr President was quite sympathetic and condemned the attempted assassination on me.

“I also met with the Chief of Defense Staff (Leo Irabor), some the service chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police (Mohammed Adamu), Department of State Services (DSS) chiefs, among others.

“The Chief of Defense Staff particularly told me that they have employed a new strategy to clear all the bandits’ camps.

“Moving forward from my discussion with all the leaders I spoke to, there is a new resolve to ensure that there is the security of lives and properties.

“I believe by the grace of God, we shall overcome all the challenges.

“As I said, there is no need to politicise this(attack on him). We must have to work together to overcome security challenges, irrespective of political affiliation.

“We must come together to remove this devil that is troubling us because we have no other country than Nigeria.”