NGF alleges plot to make Benue ungovernable How gunmen attacked gov-Aide, CP IG deploys investigators, orders security beef-up around Ortom Citizens may resort to self-help, David Mark warns Self-help an invitation to anarchy-PDP govs. APC warns against p
"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.
"While all governors will continue to pray for Governor Ortom, the NGF wishes to draw the attention of all evil doers 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".
IG deploys special investigators to Benue, orders security beef-up around Ortom
Meanwhile, the InspectorGeneral of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has ordered fullscale investigations into the circumstances surrounding the attack and reported attempt on Ortom’s life.
The Force spokesman, Frank Mba, in a statement yesterday,
said the IG condemned the incident and directed the Commissioner of Police in charge of Benue to strengthen and improve security in the state, particularly around the governor.
He said the IG had also 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.
According to him, to ensure a speedy, thorough and conclusive investigations into the matter, the IG has ordered the immediate deployment of a team of specialized investigators from the Force Criminal Investigations Department in order to provide additional investigative support to the Police Command in Benue.
Mba called for calm and pledged the commitment of the Force to continue to do its best in stabilising the security situation in the country.
APC warns politicizing crime
against
The All Progressives Congress says a crime is a crime and should not be politicized in any way.
It condemned the attack on Governor Ortom’s convoy and asked security agencies to fish out perpetrators of the crime and bring them to book.
Secretary of the APC Caretaker/
Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, John Akpanudoedehe, in a statement yesterday, said: "We thank God for his safety and praise the dutiful security details for repelling the attack."
"We’re confident our security services will do everything to unravel the criminals behind the attack and bring them to book.
"The APC reiterates that we must all collaborate to end criminality in all forms.”
Citizens may resort to selfhelp over insecurity, Mark warns
Also, former Senate President David Mark yesterday urged the security agencies to step up to the challenges of securing lives and property to avoid the consequences of a resort to selfhelp.
Mark, in a statement by his media aide, Paul Mumeh, condemned the attack on the convoy of Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom.
He said the deteriorating security situation had become scandalous making Nigeria a subject of ridicule before other nations.
He said: “If a state governor can be so brazenly attacked, what would they not do to the ordinary citizens. Let me state clearly that Benue people are receptive and accommodating. But this should not be misconstrued or mistaken for weakness. Enough of this malady.
“If our government and security operatives can no longer guarantee peoples’ safety in their homes, farms or places of business, I’m worried that the situation may compel citizens to resort to self-help.
“That’s the situation we cannot contemplate and must not be allowed to happen because the consequences would be catastrophic.”
He urged the federal government and the security agencies to “come to terms with the painful reality of the unabating insecurity in the land and resolve to end it.”
Self-help an invitation to anarchy-PDP govs.
Peoples Democratic Party Governors Forum says resorting to self-help in lieu of the current security challenges in Nigeria is an invitation to anarchy.
The forum’s chairman, Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, in a statement, said the forum believed strongly that any dispute or perceived dispute must be resolved amicably without resort to violence.
“Nigeria
is not a Banana