The Benue state governor, Hyacinth Alia has vowed to chase Fulani herders in the state noting that the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law of 2017 is still in force.
The governor disclosed this, Monday, when he interacted with leaders of various unions in the state, at the old Banquet Hall, Government House, Makurdi.
In a statement signed by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kulas, the Governor alleged that the recent influx of herders and their cattle in the state is because some persons had written to the herders in neighbouring countries such as Niger Republic, to come and settle back in Benue saying the anti-open-grazing prohibition and ranches establishment law has been relaxed.
He said: “I feel quite sad however, as the security report has it on good authority that, there are certain people who are responsible for the influx of the herders in the state.
“They even went out of their way, to go all the way to the Nigerien border to invite the herders to come in; that the law they had in Benue before is dead, and so nothing is going to happen.”
The governor however, assured the people of the state that the law is in force, and has not been relaxed by anyone.
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“My dear people of Benue, on very good authority, I want you to know that the Anti-Open Grazing law is still in place, he said.
He promised that his administration will do everything possible to ensure the herders return back to wherever they came from, admonishing the youths not to unlawfully take their cows, in order not to add more troubles for the state.
He said the essence of the interface was to intimate the unions on the happenings both in the state and at the national level, and to also appreciate them for their support for the administration.
He charged the unions to always ensure peaceful and friendly coexistence amongst them, urging them to be cordial in their dealings and resolutions without always involving the courts, and to also not allow themselves to be used by anyone to destabilize the peace in the state.
