Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has said here is no more amnesty for criminals in the state.
Ortom said this at the burial of Terkula Suswam at Anyinne today.
He lamented the refusal of the residents of communities where insecurity is festering to collaborate with security agents in order to boost their intelligence reports.
The governor also accused some residents of aiding and abetting criminality.
Terkula Suswam, the elder brother of former governor of the state, Senator Gabriel Suswam was murdered by some gunmen at his country home, Anyiin in Logo Local Government Area of the state.
Ortom who condemned in strong terms the criminality in the three local government area of Sankera, Logo, Ukum and Katsina-Alla said that his government would deal ruthlessly with any criminal caught.
He stressed that his administration would no longer negotiate with criminals.
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Ortom said, “From intelligence report, 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.
“There is no more amnesty, no more negotiation with them (criminals) except they come back like the prodigal son and plead for forgiveness”.
The Governor appealed to Sankera people to support the government and security agencies to be able to restore normalcy in the troubled local governments.
Governor Ortom described the killing of late Terkula , a prominent business, as shocking and regretted that his murder may discourage indigenes who wish to invest in their respective localities.
He said, “What our administration is encouraging is local investors since the government cannot provide a job for everybody. With the number of investments Terkul a had established in Anyiin, thousands of youths were taken out of labour market.
“So for him to be killed this way is very unfortunate. Other people who may be planning to come home to invest will be discouraged.”
