Ortom stops amnesty for criminals

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State, at the weekend, said his administration would no longer negotiate with or grant amnesty to criminals under any guise.

Ortom spoke in Anyiin in Logo Local Government Area at the burial of Dr Terkura Suswam, the slain elder brother of a former governor of the state, Senator Gabriel Suswam.

Dr Suswam was killed at his country home in Anyiin, alongside his aide, Solomon Tarnor. The burial of both men held together.

The governor said his administration, through the State Security Council, had declared total war on the assailants and other criminal elements in both Sankera and other parts of the state. He stressed that no matter how long it would take, the criminals would be defeated.

He described the late Suswam as a great man who would always be remembered for his legacies, pointing out that he died struggling to bring peace, prosperity and economic development to his community.

The governor expressed worry that many people who have the capacity may not be willing to come back to villages and invest, for fear of the unknown. He, however, appealed that people should not be distracted by the unfortunate incident.

“You can see that in Anyiin alone, we have Ashi Polytechnic, Ashi International Market, micro finance bank, rice mill; and these are the things that are wooing investors to come because the government does not have the resources to do it alone.

“Government does not have the capacity to do these alone. Dr Suswam saw it, but unfortunately, he had to meet his death right here in Anyiin, struggling to work and add value to the economic development of the community,” the governor said.