Benue's Governor Ortom warns West African herdsmen plan to descend on the state to halt anti-grazing law

GOVERNOR Samuel Ortom has raised an alarm over an alleged plot by cattle herdsmen from across the West African sub-region to invade Benue State to prevent the implementation of it planned anti-open grazing law.

Over recent years, Nigeria has been plagued with the menace of cattle herdsmen clashing with local farming communities over grazing rights. Benue State has been one of the worst affected states as Fulani herdsmen are reported to have slaughtered hundreds of Tiv, Agatu and Idoma farmers in bloody clashes.

In response to the crisis, Benue State plans to introduce an anti-grazing law that will confine herdsmen to restricted reserves. However, Governor Ortom has expressed fears that herdsmen from across the sub-region plan to descend on the state soon with the aim of frustrating the introduction of the new law.

Governor Ortom said: “I received security reports that Fulani herdsmen from across the West African sub-region are planning to invade Benue to stop the implementation of the anti-gazing law in the state. I call on the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria to organise prayers and fasting for divine intervention on the matter because we need peace in our state.”

He described the anti-open grazing law as the best solution to the incessant clashes between farmers and herders in the state and urged the people of Benue to support its implementation. In addition, the governor maintained that the new law had come to stay, assuring that his government would ensure its implementation at the end of the window period during which herders were allowed to build ranches.

Also, Governor Ortom appealed to the people of the state to shun communal violence over land and resort to dialogue in the resolution of disputes. He added that lives and property lost during such crises could not be replaced.