The Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom dismissed on Sunday allegation that his administration was responsible for the recent deaths caused by an airstrike on a hamlet in Nasarawa state as malicious.
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The governor denied any involvement on the part of his administration in the regrettable situation and characterized the accusations as excessive politics.
He insisted that he lacked the authority to order the air raid operation that killed the people, claiming that he did not give anyone the order to commit such a crime.
Ortom spoke during a Thanksgiving Mass for the official commissioning of a Parish House built by him at Holy Cross Parish, Ogbolokuta, Ulayi in Ado Local Government Area.
He claimed that, contrary to the false narrative being spread, the bombing may have been the product of intelligence acquired by the military high command.
The governor, who wondered why he would be linked to the incident, said it was pure mischief for anyone to attempt to rope him into what he had no knowledge of.
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Speaking on the hostilities between the people of Ezza community of Ado local government and their neighbouring Ebonyi state, the governor said he was working in collaboration with the Ebonyi state governor, David Umahi, to end the incessant conflict between the two brothers.
He disclosed that the peace meeting between the two state governments will be held in the area as a show of commitment to bring the crises to a stop so that the people will return to their homes.