Ortom confirms withdrawal of MOPOL from Benue

The Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has confirmed the withdrawal
of MOPOL from the state, including those posted to Internally
Displaces Persons (IDPs) camps.

We had obtained a memo from the Nigeria Police, ordering the
withdrawal of Mobile Policeman, otherwise known as MOPOL currently on
special duties in Benue State.

The officers, who were earlier, sent to the state to curb the clashes
between farmers and herdsmen, have been asked to return to their
various duties.

A signal dated July 31 and sent to the COMOPOL headquarters in
Makurdi, asked all mobile policemen across the state to withdraw with
immediate effect.

Ortom confirmed the development on Wednesday at the New Banquet Hall
of the Benue Peoples House Makurdi while playing host to the National
Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Prince Uche Secondus
and the Governors of Bayelsa, Taraba and Gombe States, Dr. Seriake
Dickson, Architect Darius Ishaku and Alhaji Hassan Dankwambo.

Governor Ortom in a remark said despite the persecution, he remained
committed to ensuring justice, fairness and equity for his people.

Governor Ortom informed the gathering that, "as part of the witch-hunt
against me and Benue people, the Inspector General of Police has
ordered the withdrawal of policemen from all the Internally Displaced
Persons camps across the state, leaving the IDPs vulnerable."