We lost over N400bn worth of properties to herdsmen attacks in Benue – Ortom

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Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State on Saturday said the state lost property worth over N400billion to renewed herdsmen attacks on communities.

The governor stated this while featuring on Radio Link, a Radio Nigeria audience participatory programme in Makurdi, the state capital.

He spoke on the achievements and challenges of his administration in the past three years.

Ortom said the figure was quoted in a preliminary report on damages caused by the crisis, adding that the loss was huge and difficult to recover from.

He said the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law put in place by the state government was the people’s legislation, stressing that no amount of intimidation or blackmail would make the government to repeal it.

The governor said: “I have no regret. Why should I have any regret doing the will of my people? They trusted me and gave me their votes and I will not betray what they want. I am doing what they want and I have no regret.”

He commended his colleagues from Taraba and Abia States for keying into the ranching law, saying it was the right way to go.