Governor Samuel Ortom has urged the Federal Government to declare state of emergency on security in the country.
Governor Ortom made the appeal while speaking with newsmen at the Benue State Governors Lodge Asokoro, Abuja.
He said the call was necessary because it would ensure that the country does not collapse under the weight of insecurity.
Governor Ortom also said the state of emergency would enable the government to deploy the necessary resources to tackle the security challenges and deal with the issues of foreign herdsmen believed to be responsible for the widespread insecurity across the country.
The Governor stressed the need for the review of ECOWAS Protocol which allows free movement within the region, saying the current trend is not beneficial to the country and commended the National Assembly for rising to the occasion.
Governor Ortom expressed delight that the whole country had risen to endorse the prohibition of open grazing as the best way to end herdsmen attacks on farmers, thanking Northern and Southern Governors forums for supporting the policy.
He explained that the era when open grazing was being practiced in the country without issues was over considering the country’s present population and land mass.
Governor Ortom said the law prohibiting open grazing in Benue State which became operational in 2018 had been successful as over 400 herdsmen have been arrested and prosecuted with over 20,000 cows impounded.
