Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State and his deputy, Benson Abounu, Tuesday, visited the ravaged Agatu Local Government Area of the state.
This is the first time the governor will be visiting the area since he assumed power last year.
Many residents of the community have been killed, while several others were rendered homeless by suspected Fulani Herdsmen.
Ortom has been facing public criticisms following his refusal to visit the area or take necessary steps to end the crisis.
The governor, who arrived the community alongside his deputy, Abounu and members of his cabinet, was received by the traditional rulers of the community and the displaced persons.
He arrived the crisis-ridden area amid tight security drawn from the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police, Civil Defence and the DSS.
Speaking with journalists in Okokolo, Ortom described the magnitude of destruction as monumental and far beyond the financial capacity of the state to rehabilitate the affected communities.
The Governor stated he had visited some of the places attacked by insurgents in the North East but that the magnitude of devastation in Agatu far exceeded those places.
He requested the Federal government and people of goodwill across the world to assist the Benue State government to enable ravaged communities to recover and get their lives together again.
As stated by him, farming and grazing were incompatible hence the imperative to establish ranches as a permanent solution to the incessant clashes between farmers and herdsmen.
He announced that the state government would construct the road from Obagaji to Agagbe in Gwer West local government area, while the road from Oshigbudu to Obagaji would be completed in order to enhance accessibility to the area.
Governor Ortom stated that with the inspection, the councils would take further steps to secure the area so that the people could return to their homes.
He addressed the affected communities at Aila, Okoklo and those displaced at Obagaji.
.....