Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has revealed that armed bandits are currently operating in at least 24 out of 36 states of the federation and the FCT.
Ortom stated this on Thursday at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Correspondence Chapel, Abuja, where he was the guest speaker, while Senator Ali Ndume (APC-Borno South) served as Chairman of the event.
Addressing the forum through a webinar, the Benue governor warned that if not checked immediately, there may be a food crisis in the country.
“At least, 24 out of 36 States of Nigeria now have serious farmers and herdsmen crisis involving killings. Without ranching laws, herdsmen may soon be at every doorstep and that this will compromise farming and food security across the country.
“Herdsmen attacks on farmers will only end when open grazing is completely eliminated. Many countries in the world including those in Africa have embraced ranching,” Ortom said.
Speaking on the growing kidnapping, he said, “The rise in kidnappings of all categories of people across the country is a dangerous trend. We don’t know who is telling the truth. But as it stands, there is a strong allegation that desperate politicians brought into the country foreign mercenaries to help them win elections.”