From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi
Benue State government and leadership of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore have agreed to abide by the anti-open grazing law in ranching their cattle.
This agreement was reached after at a meeting held in Makurdi, convened Thursday by Special Advisers to Governor Hyacinth Alia on security between chairmen of the 23 local government areas and leadership of Miyetti Allah Cattle breeders in the State.
Speaking during the meeting, Special Adviser, Security and Internal Affairs Chief Joseph Har stressed that the law prohibiting open grazing is still in enforce and must be obeyed.
Har averred 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.
Also, the Security adviser reminded cattle breeders that the law is not against the Fulani alone but it is meant to avoid incessant clashes between farmer and herders.
He equally 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 leave.
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 right.
“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.”
Chairman, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders in the State, Ardo Mohammed Risku maintained that there must be sincerity by all stakeholders as it concerns ranching.
He however, frowned at the insistence on the herders to ranch while others adamantly refuse to ranch.
“Let us be sincere not to bring back the past. We should be sincere about ranching why should non Fulani 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.
On his part, State ALGON chairman, Hon. Philip Achuah, assured that no local government will attack herders.
Achuah who is also, chairman Konshisha LGA urged council chairmen to liaise with Fulani herders leadership in their domain to ensure peace even as he appealed to them to talk to the external Fulani to vacate the state.
