Former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom says current Governor Hyacinth Alia is creating an illusion of peace and competence under his administration by underreporting mass killings perpetrated, allegedly, by Fulani herder militias in the food basket state of Nigeria.
Ortom made the remark via a statement issued on Monday, February 11, by his media aide Terver Akase.
Ortoms was reacting to Gov. Alia’s remarks at NKST Church, Ikpayongo, on Sunday, where the governor claimed that killings by armed herders had ceased since he assumed office.
The ex-governor countering Alia’s claims, said he had it on good authority that mass burials had continued across several conflict-prone areas of the state, including Ukum, Logo, Katsina-Ala, Gwer East, and Agatu.
“This government is only attempting to conceal the truth about the killings and mass burials,” Ortom said in the statement.
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The former governor had conducted several mass burials in the state while in office from 2015-2023, arising from attacks by the same herder militia.
In the statement, Ortom defended his tenure, noting his anti-open grazing policies and firm stance against herdsmen attacks despite pressure from the federal government.
He criticized Alia for focusing on discrediting his administration rather than fulfilling campaign promises.
“Being a state governor is a temporary position. Tomorrow, he too will become a former governor. Governor Alia should focus on governance instead of attacking his predecessor,” Ortom said.
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