Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has said that half of five local government areas of the state have been sacked by herdsmen militia.

He gave the affected local government areas sacked by herdsmen to include Makurdi, Gwer West, Guma, Logo and Kwande.

The governor further hinted that the herdsmen crisis that rocked the state commencing from New Year day claimed lives of 560 people.

Ortom reeled out the devastating effect of the herdsmen attack on the state during his visit to the residence of former Senate President, Dr Iyorchia Ayu, where stakeholders’ from Gboko, Buruku and Tarka council areas referred to as JEMGBA.

He said that the attacks on several communities across the state were beyond grazing but rather the continuation of the 1804 conquest and the occupation agenda of Jihadists.

While soliciting support for his re-election at the stakeholders meeting, Governor Ortom said that his first term was characterised by several challenges which he enumerated to include; lack of funds resulting to non-payment of salaries, natural disaster, and insecurity, all he said he was gradually overcoming.

The governor appealed to other aspirants to eschew violence as they solicit the mandate of the people, pointing out that peace should be the ultimate desire of everyone.

The stakeholders at the meeting pledged their support for the re-election of the governor.

•Sourced from a Tribune report