Herdsmen killings: Umahi tells Ortom to form vigilantes like Egbubeagu

Governor of Ebonyi State David Umahi on Tuesday, advised his Benue counterpart, Samuel Ortom, to form a formidable vigilante group like the Egbubeagu Security Outfit to address the incessant herdsmen killings.

Umahi gave the advice on Tuesday at the Alex Ekwueme Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki where the victims of the attack allegedly perpetrated by herders were receiving treatment.

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The governor, who went round the wards, accused the herders of raping a two-year-old girl, cutting children with knives, and killing them and their parents.

He described the actions as wicked and satanic and advised the Benue government not to always play the blame game in sensitive issues but take measures to arrest the incessant attacks.

“Everything should not be reduced to blame game. It is important that the people of Benue State form their own Ebubeagu to protect their people instead of blaming Mr President; Mr President cannot be everywhere,” he explained.

He said his administration would cater for the treatment of the victims, their feeding and clothing.

In securing the area, the governor said that he would immediately establish Egbubeagu Security Outfit to protect the people from such attacks in the future.

Daily Trust gathered that the attacks affected three villages – Nwori Ndi-Obasi, Obakota and Odokem – in Ado LGA of Benue State.

The chairman of Ebonyi Local Government Area, Mrs. Chinyere Nwabagha, said over 50 persons were killed during the attack.