30 herdsmen convicted, 400 more being prosecuted for violating anti-grazing law in Benue

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has stated that about 30 persons have been convicted, while 400 are currently standing trial for violating the State’s Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Law.

Governor Ortom made the disclosure yesterday when he received in audience, the Assistant Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Charge of Zone H, Mr. Lugard Osemwegie, at Benue People’s House, Makurdi.

According to the governor, the synergy and co-operation between the state government and the security agencies had boosted the enforcement of the open grazing prohibition and ranches establishment law and ensured the state was not overran by herdsmen militia.

Ortom maintained that the law, which was promulgated to end frequent clashes between herdsmen and farmers, will be fully implemented no matter the level of opposition against it by the herdsmen.

Responding, Osemwegie applauded Governor Ortom for his steadfastness and firmness in enacting and enforcing the anti open grazing law.

He said the governor’s handling of the security challenges was leading to the restoration of normalcy and requested assistance to secure a suitable accommodation that would contain an armory, as well as vehicles.