Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has commiserated with President Muhammadu Buhari, the Nigerian Army and the Olupako of Share, Oba Haruna Olawale Suleiman, the entire Share community and family over the death of Brigadier-General Dayo Apere, the Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS).
Ortom who stated this in a statement signed by his Principal Special Assistant on Media, Nathaniel Ikyur, said his death was a huge tragedy.
He said the death of Gen. Apere who died on Saturday, October 2, 2021, of an undisclosed ailment, is a huge tragedy to Nigeria’s war against terrorism in the country.
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The Governor described the death of Gen. Apere as a big blow to the Army and particularly Benue State which has been contending with Fulani militia, bandits and kidnappers.
Ortom who recalled the contributions of Operation Whirl Stroke under the Command of Late Gen. Apere in fighting criminality in Benue State, said he was instrumental to the relative peace the state is currently enjoying.
Governor Ortom said he is personally pained over his death because the late Army General was a true partner in the Benue State Government’s fight against Fulani herdsmen who have invaded the state and sustained attacks on unarmed farming communities in the state, killing and dispossessing them of their farmlands.
Ortom said “we have indeed lost a fine and dedicated officer at a time that the war against terrorism is growing in the country.”
The Governor prayed God to grant the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss of late Brigadier-General Dayo Apere.