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Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State.

The Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives has expressed shock over the assassination attempt on the Governor of Benue State, Dr. Sameul Ortom, describing it as another daring attempt by the criminal elements to destabilize the state.

The lawmakers, in a statement by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, (PDP Delta), insisted on full scale investigation into the unfortunate incident with a view to bringing the assailants and their masterminds, no matter how highly placed to justice.

“We are alarmed by this brazen attempt by outlaws to assassinate a democratically elected governor in our country. It is indeed disturbing that outlaws, bandits and terrorists have been so indulged that they now have the temerity to fire shots at, and attempt to assassinate a democratically elected governor.

“Moreover, our caucus is distressed by the disposition of certain state actors, whose actions, utterances and body language appear to embolden acts of terrorism to the extent that criminal elements can summon the audacity to trail and attempt to assassinate a state governor.

“Furthermore, the attack on Governor Ortom has again brought to the fore, apprehensions of alleged lapses in our security architecture, particularly given that the attack came on the heels of his continuous distress call to the Federal Government to take decisive steps to guarantee the security of life and property in his state.

“As representatives of the people, our caucus charges the Inspector General of Police to widen investigation into the attack, fish out and bring the attackers to book, as our nation cannot, in any way, stomach such affront to our sovereignty”, the lawmakers stated.

The Minority Caucus commended the security personnel attached to Governor Ortom for their gallantry in repelling the attackers, while also charging the Inspector General to beef up security and intelligence gathering around the governor at this critical time.

The lawmakers stressed that they stand behind Governor Ortom and the people of Benue state and charge the governor not to be deterred by the attack but to remain courageous in discharging his duties to his people.