The Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, has dissociated itself from the arrest of his predecessor, Gbariel Suswam.
He said the reports that he wrote a petition that led to the arrest of Suswam was false.
Suswam was arrested on Tuesday by the Department of State Service, DSS, over an alleged involvement in the spate of killings in the state.
The arrest was said to have been made following a petition by a prominent politician in the state.
Suswam was accused of harbouring Mr. Terwase Akwaza, popularly known as ‘Ghana’.
Ghana is said to be behind the killing of about 17 people in Zaki Biam, Benue State, in March 2017.
Ghana has since gone underground and declared wanted by security agencies.
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But in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Terver Akase, the governor stated that the report suggesting that he petitioned the security agency over Suswam was false, misleading and mischievous.
The governor explained: “The Benue State Government has written a petition against leaders of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore and has filed a lawsuit against the group.
“The State Government has evidence to prove that the socio-cultural organisation is responsible for recent attacks and killing of innocent people in the state.
“Those peddling the allegation that Governor Ortom is behind the arrest of his predecessor are doing so to cause disaffection and create a state of confusion.
“The Ortom administration will not be distracted from its commitment to get justice for victims of mindless attacks on the state.
“We urge Benue people and other Nigerians to disregard the reports.”