Gov Alia directs full implementation of anti-open grazing law in Benue

Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Ali, has stated that the 14-day deadline provided to herders participating in open grazing has expired.

He proclaimed that it is time for the state’s security authorities to fully implement the anti-open grazing law.

The governor made the announcement on Wednesday during a press briefing at Government House’s Old Banquet Hall in Makurdi.

Gov. Alia, who was represented by his deputy, Dr. Sam Ode, revealed that the State Security Council made the decision in response to the significant inflow of herders into the state.

He stated that throughout the 14-day ultimatum, the security council observed the activities of the armed herders and reviewed the report of a 7-man committee led by the Force Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke in the state.

Ode underlined the council’s approval with the report, underlining that the law did not target any specific group of people.

The government, on the other hand, cautioned that anyone who broke the law, no matter who, would be prosecuted, while also revealing that most of the herders in the state had withdrawn peacefully during the last two weeks.

Also in his remarks, Barr. Fidelis Mnyim, Commissioner of Justice and Public Order, explained that anyone who wanted to raise cattle in the state had to ranch their cattle because the anti-open grazing prohibition and ranches establishment law of 2017 was still in effect in the state, and anyone caught open grazing would face the full wrath of the law.

Also, Major General Sunday Igbinomwanhia, the Force Commander of Operation Whirlstroke (OPWS), revealed that the Benue State Security Council formed a 7-man committee to work out modalities for implementing the ultimatum for the withdrawal of armed herdsmen from the state, a process he described as a non-kinetic approach to conflict resolution.

Gen Igbinomwanhia expressed pleasure that the withdrawal of the majority of the herders had resulted in high compliance and stated that Operation Whirlstroke and other security agencies working within the state would carry out the State government’s entire direction.

He also revealed that Operation Whirlstroke had carried out some clearance operations in Kwande local government, where certain criminals had infiltrated the local government.

Regarding the recent crisis in Ukum local government, he stated that there was a clash between two militia groups in the area for unexplained reasons, which resulted in the deaths of 30 militiamen on both sides, emphasizing that it was not an attack on any of the communities as claimed.