Benue State Government has ordered all cattle herders engaged in open grazing to leave the state. The Livestock Guards has also been directed to allow all cattle rearers now engaged in open grazing in the state to leave within two weeks.
It should noted that the Guard was established by the government to ensure compliance of the state’s anti-open grazing law.
Soon after the general elections, there has been an influx of herdsmen into Benue with a large number of cattle despite the state’s anti-open grazing law.
Governor Samuel Ortom, who disclosed this while briefing newsmen after the State Security Council meeting, said the window given to the compliance and suspension of the mandate of the Livestock Guards to confiscate roaming cattle and other livestock was two weeks, maintaining that the action became necessary to allow for a reduction in the high influx of cattle into the state.
He said it is part of measures to ensure that all those who came in with cattle leave so that the people can have peace.
Benue had come under attacks with many killed in recent days by gunmen suspected to be mercenaries hired by herdsmen prompting the Presidency to issue a statement against the killings.
“We commend the President for condoling with Benue people as well as direct security agencies to apprehend perpetrators of this act. The Security agencies are duty bound to carry out this directive and I am waiting to see action that will culminate into cessation of killings and restore peace in the State,” Ortom said.
The Guardian
