Following the attack and reported attempt on the life of the Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom over the weekend, the Inspector-General of Police, M.A Adamu, has ordered full-scale investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Mr Frank Mba, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.
The Governor was reported to have narrowly escaped an assassination attempt on Saturday as suspected herdsmen ambushed him at his farm in the outskirts of Makurdi.
According to the Governor, he was inspecting his farm, when the 15 militia herders dressed in black, ambushed him and his security men and opened fire.
He said it took the swift response of his security aides to repel the attack, while he had to run over 1.5 kilometers to escape the ambush.
The IGP who condemned the incident, has directed the Commissioner of Police (CP), Benue State Command to take adequate measures towards strengthening and improving security in the State, particularly around the Governor.
The IGP has also specifically 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.
In order to ensure a speedy, thorough and conclusive investigation into the matter, the IGP has ordered the immediate deployment of a team of specialized investigators from the Force Criminal Investigations Department (FCID), Abuja to Benue State to provide additional investigative support to the Benue State Police Command.
While calling for calm, the IGP has assured the people of Benue State and the country at large that the Force will continue to do its best in stabilizing the security situation in the country.
The IGP further reiterates that the Force will continue to work with relevant stakeholders to advance the fight against violent crimes and other criminal activities across the country.
Meanwhile, according to PM News, a shadowy group known as the Fulani Nationality Movement (FUNAM) has reportedly claimed responsibility for the attack on the convoy of Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state.
The group in a statement by one Umar Amir Shehu said the attack was an assassination attempt on the governor.
FUNAM said: “Our courageous fighters carried out this historic attack to send a great message to Ortom and his collaborators: Wherever you are, once you are against Fulani long term interest, we shall get you down. This is a clear warning. We hope those who take us for granted will get the indisputable message.”
This reported claim of responsibility comes as President Muhammadu Buhari strongly condemns the attack on Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State, saying the string of brutal attacks on individuals and communities in the state, with the latest one targeting the governor, was unacceptable.
The president while expressing his sympathies, and that of the government of the federation to Governor Ortom and all Benue indigenes, said the unfortunate incident must not be politicised, reiterating that an attack on one Nigerian is an attack on all Nigerians.
“Let there be open and transparent investigation and whoever is linked to it should be caught and be made to face the law,” the president said as he directed the police to undertake a thorough investigation into the incident.
