Benue state Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, says the killings by suspected herdsmen in the state could be avoided with enforcement of Open grazing ban.
The Party stated this in a statement by State Publicity Secretary Bemgba Iortyom, Monday while reacting to the recent killing in Northbank.
According to the statement, reports from the North Bank area of Makurdi, the Benue State capital city, indicate that suspected fulani herdsmen last night during an armed attack killed a number of persons and grievously injured several others noting that the attack occurred at Antsa Settlement area which is within the vicinity of the Joseph Sarwuan Tarka Federal University of Agriculture and the Alfred Akawe Torkula Polytechnic both in Makurdi, where students are currently in session.
The statement reads in part: “The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state condemns the incident as deeply saddening and regrettable, one which the party believes would not have occurred if the law banning open grazing in the state was still being enforced by Governor Hyacinth Alia.
“PDP finds it inexplicable that Governor Alia has tacitly suspended the enforcement of the ban on open grazing in the state which is still operative as a law, as doing so has directly resulted in the heavy influx of herdsmen and their cattle into both rural and urban areas of the state.
“The party is equally alarmed that, rather than work towards strengthening enforcement of the law, there had only last week emerged evidence that the governor had submitted a Bill before the Benue State House of Assembly seeking to have the law repealed.
“And, once again, the query is, why does Governor Alia want the Prohibition of Open Grazing and Ranches Establishment Law (2017) repealed? Whose interests will it serve to have the law repealed – the herdsmen or Benue people?
READ ALSO
25 best ways to make your Marriage successful
Safety ways for TV viewing for children
Exposing Corruption: Investigating BIPC During Gov Alia’s Tenure
Sponsored attacks won’t distract SGF Akume- Aide
25 best ways to make your Marriage successful
“What antidote does Governor Alia have against herdsmen atrocities in Benue, considering that the marauding criminals are increasingly encroaching on the entire landmass of the state with no resistance being put in their way?
“The governor’s policy of silence over the atrocities of the pastoralists is another source of deep worry, as it serves to cover the crimes they commit against humanity while at the same time emboldening them as they see no wrong in their heinous crimes.
“It is alarming that suspected herdsmen can now strike and kill at will in Makurdi, the state capital city, a situation which loudly amplifies the grim fact that nowhere now in Benue State is safe under the watch of Governor Hyacinth Alia.
“PDP calls on Governor Alia to come alive to the reality that Benue is under a siege which is closing in by the day, and he should take advantage of the disposition of the federal government towards stamping out insecurity and flush the killer herdsmen out of the state.”
