By Isaac Kertyo Makurdi
Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has called on the Federal Government to suspend the forthcoming population and housing census until adequate security is restored.
Governor Ortom made the call when the leadership of the Middle belt Forum paid him a condolence visit at the Government House Makurdi over the killings of Benue indigenes in the renewed attacks on communities in the state by armed herdsmen.
He maintained that since the census Act provides for every citizen to be counted in the locality the census figures could only be authentic when security is restored for the IDPs to go back and be counted in their ancestral homes.
He implored President Buhari to match his words with action by ensuring that his directive to security operatives to fish out sponsors and killers of Benue indigenes for prosecution was strictly followed.
The Governor warned that no Nigerian should be treated as second class citizen as Benue indigenes have been subjected to for many years, stressing that until Justice, equity and fairness is respected the country won’t move forward.
Ortom lauded the Middle belt Forum for always being responsive to the plight of people in the region particularly Benue State, averring that the anti open grazing law was still enforce.
In her remarks, the President Middle belt Forum, Dr Beatrice Pogo, laments over the killings in the region, especially Benue State by armed herdsmen.
She noted that the attacks were coming when Nigeria is to conduct a national census.
