ORTOM CONDEMNS KIDNAP OF FOUR CATHOLIC PRIESTS IN DELTA
Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom condemns the kidnap of four Catholic Priests by suspected armed herdsmen in Umutu/Abraka, Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State.
Governor Ortom describes the abduction of the four Reverend Fathers as barbaric, dehumanizing and shameful.
He wonders why armed herdsmen have chosen to make harmless clergymen targets of attacks, and stresses that the motive of the perpetrators is clearly beyond mere grazing of cattle. He states that the resolve of herdsmen to sack communities and claim ancestral lands belonging to the people is threatening the existence of Nigeria.
Governor Ortom says the people of Benue State are still mourning the killing of two Catholic Priests and 17 worshippers by herdsmen in Mbalom, Gwer East Local Government Area of the State, earlier this year.
The Governor urges security agencies to act swiftly to ensure the release of the kidnapped priests in Delta State.
He calls on other Nigerians to rise in condemnation of persistent attacks on innocent people, particularly the current spate of violence against the clergy.
The Governor says activities of armed herdsmen, if not checked, will affect the smooth conduct of the 2019 elections in parts of the country.
Governor Ortom says the government and people of Benue State are standing in prayers with the Catholic Dioceses of Benin, Warri and Abuja where the four abducted priests came from.
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