Sustained herders attack will not make us repeal the anti-open grazing law, we’ll stiffen penalties.

“Let me remind those who think that sustained attacks on the Benue people will force us to repeal the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law that they are making a mistake – Ortom

Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, has called on his people to take action against killer herders in the state.

Hundreds of people have been killed in Benue by suspected Fulani herdsmen in the past few days alone, while thousands have been displaced.

Ortom who spoke on Saturday at the Banquet Hall of the Government House during a media parley to mark his second year in office in his second tenure, noted that it was time to stop crying over the unabated attacks unleashed on people of the state the marauding herdsmen.

The governor who said he has activated vigilante groups across the state, insisted they should be allowed to carry arms to protect their communities.

“A few weeks ago, Benue stakeholders met and gave this administration the mandate to activate and implement the Community Volunteer Guards Law enacted in 2000,” he said.

“We have already commenced the process of recruiting responsible people of 50 years and below into the Volunteer Guards. Their duty is to support the conventional security agencies in defending their communities. We have cried enough. We will cry no more. Now is time for action.”

Ortom said that the incessant herdsmen attacks on the state would not in any way force his administration to repeal the anti-open grazing law but would rather strengthen the law to stiffen the penalties.

He said, “Let me remind those who think that sustained attacks on the Benue people will force us to repeal the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law that they are making a mistake.

“This law has come to stay and no amount of intimidation can make us repeal it. Instead, we will soon amend the law in order to increase the penalties against offenders.”

The governor promised to continue to meet the yearnings of the people of the state as resources permit.

Tobiloba Johnson

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