From Chiangi Avese, Makurdi
Benue State Government and the leadership of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) Benue State chapter, on Friday, agreed to constitute a committee with membership drawn from the host communities and herders for the enforcement of the anti-open grazing law and ensure its total compliance amongst all herders in the State.
The State Government and the herders agreed to unite and chase foreign herdsmen from Benue, describing the large influx of cattle into the state as worrisome and disturbing.
Addressing the participants at the security dialogue between the leadership of Myietti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria and the Benue Government with other stakeholders, the Chairman, of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Benue State chapter, Ardo Mohammed Risku, maintained the committee members would be able to identify who is responsible anytime there is a break down of the law in the State
The Chairman however stressed that “there must be sincerity by all stakeholders as it concerns ranching, saying that anti-open grazing law must not be targeted at only Fulani herdsman”.
He pointed out that, “it is improper for the Government to insist on Fulani herders to ranch their cattle while others adamantly refuse to ranch. We knew several non-Fulani herders in the state with herds of cattle and who graze their cows openly without getting arrested”.
Speaking during the meeting, Special Adviser, Security and Internal Affairs Chief Joseph Har stressed that the law prohibiting open grazing is still in enforcement and must be obeyed.
He alluded that cattle rearing remains a personal lucrative business and as such, all who engage in it irrespective of tribe, must practice ranching, saying that owners should provide all facilities needed for their business as the government will not take responsibility for that.
Chief Har explained to the cattle breeders that the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Law 2017 is not against the Fulani alone but it is meant to avoid incessant clashes between farmers and herders and warned that the government will not spare anyone who is found to breach the law.
“The need to have a peace committee between the farmers and herders for strict enforcement of the law is apt. Therefore, the Fulani who lived long with their host communities must ask the invaders to leave now”, Chief Har said.
The Special Adviser further explained that “you will need to show course to be trusted by refusing to shield those who have come to portray you in bad light to your host communities. Tell the foreign Fulanis 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. The government did not contract any Alhaji Tashaku to speak on its behalf. Local government chairmen should restrain their people from attacking herders’ cattle.”
The State ALGON Chairman, Hon. Philip Achuah, assured that no local government will attack herders. He urged council chairmen to liaise with Fulani herder’s leadership in their domain to ensure peace even as he appealed to them to talk to the external Fulani to vacate the state.
