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From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
As part of measures to curb insecurities perpetrated by herdsmen militia in the state,
Benue State government have met with leadership of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, (MACBAN), where they agreed that everyone in the business of animal husbandry must ranch in obedience to the anti-open grazing law.
This agreement was reached at a meeting held in Makurdi on Thursday convened by the state government and chaired by Special Advisers to Governor Hyacinth Alia on Security, Col. Igbaya Anshungu (rtd) and Chief Joseph Har, with caretaker chairmen of the 23 local government areas and leadership of state MACBAN in attendance.
Speaking to newsmen after the meeting, Special Adviser, Security and Internal Affairs, Chief Joseph Har, (PSP), said “this meeting was convened because of the influx of herdsmen across Benue state.
They are everywhere, in Kwande, in Naka in Gwer West, in Gwer East, Buruku, Tarka, Katsina Ala, and they came in thousands. It’s a source of worry.
Har said the law prohibiting open grazing is still in in force and must be obeyed by all who are in the business of rearing animal.
Chief Har stated that cattle rearing remains a lucrative business and as such, all who engage in it irrespective of tribe, must practice ranching.
He also, said owners should provide all facilities needed for their business as government will not take responsibility for that.
The Security adviser reminded cattle breeders that the law is not against the Fulani but is meant for everyone to avoid incessant clashes between farmer and herders.
He also, emphasized on the need to have a peace committee between the farmers and herders for strict enforcement of the law, while urging the herdsmen to ask the invaders to identify themselves as well as the trouble makers among them.
Har said, “as you go back tell your people not to react but be peaceful. We do not want to expose our people to any menace but advise them to remain calm. The large influx of cattle into the State is worrisome and disturbing . If you are doing business and someone comes to infringe on it, you will not be happy. Tell them to leave or it will be assumed that you (internal herders) invited them, we will not tolerate anyone infringing on our rights. The Governor’s silence should not be mistaken for weakness.
“Government did not contract any Alh.Tershaku to speak on its behalf. Local government chairmen should restrain their people from attacking herders cattle”.
Earlier, Chairman, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders in the State,
Ardo Mohammed Risku said that all stakeholders must be sincere as it concerns ranching.
He frowned at the insistence on the herders to ranch while others adamantly refuse to ranch theirs.
“Let us be sincere not to bring back the past. We should be sincere about ranching. Why should non Fulanis who have cattle not ranch their cattle but they insist the herders must ranch.
“As a leader I do not know all the location, no stranger can overtake the host. We will collaborate with government to chase
away external herder invaders’, Risku pledged.
The Chairman of Association of Local Government of Nigeria, (ALGON), and Caretaker Chairman of Konshisha LGA, Hon. Philip Achuah, assured that no local government will attack herders.
Achuah urged council chairmen to liaise with the leadership of the herders in their domain to ensure peace even as he appealed to the herders to talk to the external herders who are flooding the state in their numbers to vacate the State.
