From Chiangi Avese, Makurdi
Benue State Security Council on Tuesday arose from its meeting handing down a two-week ultimatum to people operating Open Grazing within the state to comply with the State’s Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Law (2017), insisting that the law is still in force in the state.
The Security Council also called on the heavily armed herders/invaders to immediately leave the state and return to where they came from, warning those who invited them to immediately desist from the act.
The resolutions are apparent reactions to the recent influx of heavily armed Fulani herdsmen into the state with a possibility of escalation of an already fragile security situation.
Briefing newsmen shortly after the meeting, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor of Benue State, Sir Tersoo Kula, said the Council also constituted a seven man committee to ensure the enforcement of the ultimatum, which begins on Wednesday, February 21st, 2024.
While calling on the good people of the state to remain calm and Security conscious, Sir Kula said, “the state government is making efforts to secure the lives and property of the people of the state”.
“The State Security Council has tasked security agencies, traditional rulers and the general public to report for prosecution, any person who is in the habit of collaborating and inviting the armed herders into the state”, the CPS said.
On the hardship and looming food insecurity across the nation, the Council, according to Sir Kula, urged the people of Benue State to remain calm as efforts are being put in place by the government to address the challenge.
