By CEPHAS IORHEMEN, Makurdi

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom Tuesday disclosed that very high profile people in the state are neck-deep in cultism.

The governor broke the news while briefing journalists at the end of the state Executive Council meeting held at the Government House in Makurdi.

He said: “Cultism is one area that is very complicated because very high profile people are also involved in it. These are areas we want to look at strengthening the law to see how we can lay hands on these high profile people and punish them to serve as deterrent to others.”

The governor said the state Security Council has resolved to strengthen the state laws on ranching, kidnapping, cultism and other related crimes to ensure that stiffer penalties follow offences.

Ortom, who doubles as Chairman of the Security Council, stated that council resolved to amend necessary laws to provide more stringent punishments to offenders, stressing that a holistic appraisal of the security situation in the state was also considered including the influx of herdsmen and their cattle.

The governor stated that a committee had been set up to critically look into sections of the law that needed amendments.

Governor Ortom acknowledged the excellent performance of security agents in fighting crime and banditry in the ‘food basket’ state, pointing out that his earlier comment on security agencies being over-stretched and overwhelmed was misconstrued. (New Telegraph)