Samuel Ortom, governor of Benue, says the state will no longer grant amnesty or negotiate with criminals.
The governor said this on Saturday at the funeral ceremony of Terkura Suswam, brother to the former governor of Benue.
Terkura, elder brother to Gabriel Suswam, former Benue governor, was killed alongside his aide on March 2.
Both of them were said to have been attacked at Terkura’s hometown in Anyiin LGA of the state.
Ortom, who mourned Terkura’s demise, had vowed to ensure that the killers are arrested and brought to justice.
Speaking at the burial, the governor said the state will no longer offer amnesty to criminals, except they repent and beg for forgiveness.
“There is no more amnesty, no more negotiation with them (criminals), except they come back like the prodigal son and plead for forgiveness,’’ he said.
Ortom added that the state will flush out criminals, no matter how long it may take.
He also noted that if insecurity isn’t addressed, it will affect the economy of the state, as crime is a factor that scares away investors.
“You can see in Anyiin alone, we have Ashi Polytechnic, Ashi international market, microfinance bank and a rice mill. These are the things that we are using to woo investors to come and do business in the state, because government does not have the resources to do it alone,” he said.
“The late Suswam saw it, but unfortunately, he met his death right here in Anyiin, struggling to work and add value to the economic development of the community.
“From intelligence reports, some members of the community are supporting these criminals, which makes it difficult for security men.
“I want to assure youths in the state, not only in Sankera, that we are going to go after these criminals and by the grace of God, we will get them.’’
The governor described the deceased as a great man who would be remembered for his legacy.
According to NAN, Ortom also appealed to residents to support the government and security agencies to able to restore peace in the troubled LGAs.