Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has called on security agencies to arrest the leadership of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association over the killings in Plateau State at the weekend.
Ortom made the call on Tuesday while commiserating with the government and the people of Plateau State.
At the weekend, no fewer than 86 people were killed by suspected herdsmen.
The killings have received condemnation both from within and outside the country.
Miyetti Allah has since claimed responsibility, saying it was a reprisal attack over some cows that were earlier killed by some people.
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The claim is contained in a statement on Monday by Danladi Ciroma, chairman of the north-central zone of the cattle breeders association.
Ciroma accused the communities of hiding cattle rustlers.
He also said they were making the peace efforts of the government impossible.
His words: “These attacks are retaliatory. As much as I don’t support the killing of human beings, the truth must be told that those who carried out the attacks must be on revenge mission.”
In his message of sympathy to Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State, Ortom said the leadership of the cattle breeders deserved to be arrested for prosecution having claimed to be responsible for the mayhem.
While commiserating with Lalong and the people of the state, Ortom in the statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Terver Akase, said Benue would “continue to stand with the people of Plateau in prayers until the orgy of violence over the state and other parts of the Middle Belt is brought to an end.”
