Formal governor, Samuel Ortom, has accused his successor, Governor Hyacinth Alia, of concealing mass burials in the state, claiming they are connected to the ongoing killings by suspected herdsmen. Ortom, speaking to reporters today, called the alleged cover-up an attempt to downplay the severity of the attacks and their impact on the local communities.
"The situation in Benue has continued to worsen, with innocent lives being lost every day. Rather than addressing the root cause of these heinous acts, the state government is allegedly engaged in hiding the grim realities," Ortom stated. He emphasized that the reported mass burials in several local government areas were deliberately concealed from the public eye, in what he believes is an effort to shield the administration from criticism and public outrage.
Ortom’s claims come on the heels of ongoing violence between farmers and herders in Benue, which has escalated in recent months. The former governor described the killings as "targeted" and "systematic," calling on the government to take more concrete action in securing the lives of citizens, particularly in rural communities where the violence has been most severe.
While Governor Alia has not directly responded to Ortom’s accusations, the state government has continued to maintain that the security situation is under control, attributing the killings to banditry and other criminal activities. However, Ortom's claims have sparked fresh concerns among Benue residents, who have long accused both state and federal authorities of neglecting the security crisis in the region.
Ortom has urged the international community, human rights organizations, and security agencies to investigate the alleged cover-up and bring those responsible for the killings to justice. He also called for more attention to be given to the plight of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the state, many of whom have been forced from their homes due to the violence.