By Sunday Ogli, Makurdi
Following the expiration of the 14-day ultimatum given to herdsmen engaging in open grazing in Benue State to leave the state, the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Public Order, Barr Fidelis Mnyim, has declared that there is no room for open grazing in the state.
Barr Mnyim who disclosed this on Wednesday during a joint security briefing in Government House, Makurdi said violators of the law prohibiting open grazing in the state will be sanctioned.
He said the Open-Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law 2017 have consequences for all those who disobey it.
Speaking earlier, the State Deputy Governor, Dr Sam Ode, said the law does not target any particular tribe or people but those bent on practising open grazing in the state.
Dr Ode said all livestock must be ranched, adding those who failed to do so would be made to face the law.
The deputy governor stressed: “since the ultimatum has elapsed all violators would be published.”
He said the report of the Force Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke, OPWS, Maj Gen Sunday Igbinomwanhia led a seven man committee constituted by the Security Council for the enforcement of the law was approved by the council.
Dr Ode also disclosed that the killings in Ukum LGA were perpetrated by rival militia groups who were killing each other for unknown reasons.
Also speaking, the Force Commander of OPWS, Maj Gen Sunday Igbinomwanhia, said rival militia groups have killed over 30 persons in Ukum Local Government Area of the State.
Gen Igbinomwanhia said those killed were members of the rival militia groups, adding that troops are already on ground to restore peace and order in the community.
He said troops were currently carrying out clearance exercise in Kwande to flush out foreign armed herders who came through the international border line between Nigeria and Cameroon.
