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Benue State Governor  Samuel Ortom, has said invasion by herdsmen on various communities in the state had rendered over one million persons homeless. He said the figure of Internally Displaced Persons, IDP, was as a result of sustained armed herdsmen attacks on communities in the state.
Ortom, who stated this while addressing IDPs at Uikpam, one of the camps in the state, however, appealed to donor agencies, philanthropists and humanitarian workers to assist in addressing the plight of the IDPs as part of activities marking his 60th birthday anniversary.
He said the appealed for support was necessary to cater for the needs of the affected persons in view of the fact that resources of the state had been overstretched.
“My administration  has resolved not to repeal the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law of the state contrary to the agenda of enemies of the state. I want to thank God for taken me to the age of 60. I am also  praying for the restoration of peace to enable the displaced persons to return to their ancestral homes. God  would surely put enemies of the state to shame”, Ortom said.
The governor who was accompanied by his wife, Dr Eunice Ortom, warned against rape and violence against women especially those in the IDP camps, saying his administration would deal decisively with perpetrators of such crime.Earlier, the Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency, Dr Emmanuel Shior, confirmed that statistics showed Benue had over 800,000 IDPs with some in camps and others living with their relatives, stressing that the camp at Ukpam alone has 27,000 IDPs.
House of Representatives Member for Makurdi-Guma, Benjamin Mzondu advised youth to support security agencies posted to their areas for improved security.
The IDPs thanked the governor for the sustained care and support he has been giving them.
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