Samuel Ortom, governor of Benue, has ordered the immediate arrest of leaders of the ‘Hunters and Forests Security Guards’ group accused of forcefully shaving a lady’s hair.
The governor gave the directive in a statement by Nathaniel Ikyur, his chief press secretary, on Wednesday.
According to the statement, the “illegal” group said to have caused several security problems in the state, carried out the act on Tuesday.
Ortom said the group has no link with his administration. He added that his government would no longer condone “the injustice and inhuman acts” displayed by the group.
“The Hunters and Forest Security Guards is not a creation of the Benue state government and we absolutely do not have any relationship with it in whatever form,” the statement read.
“As the chief security officer of the state, I am appalled by the unlawful acts of these people and I condemn this in unequivocal terms and state categorically that my government has nothing to do with this group and its actions.
“I have repeatedly maintained that I will never allow criminals to take over the state. Benue citizens are law-abiding and we cannot allow illegal bodies to operate and harass people here.”
The statement added that some leaders of the group have already been arrested by the state police command for alleged breach of security in the state.
They include Ajonye Peter, state commandant; Leva Luther, deputy commandant; Jov Peter Charles, admin officer; and Godwin Adinya, state adviser.
