Benue anti-open grazing also prohibits cow theft- Ortom
Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom called on Fulani indigenous to Nigeria to speak out against the invasion of foreign Fulani into communities in the country.
He added that the Benue anti-open grazing law prohibits Cattle rustling, adding it was a win-win for both herders and farmers.
Ortom spoke when he hosted a delegation of Nasarawa State Traditional Rulers who on behalf of the state government paid him a condolence visit.
The delegation, led by the Emir of Keffi, Dr. Shehu Chindo, was in the state to console Ortom and Benue State Traditional Council over the death of the Idoma aramount ruler, Ochi’Doma, Eliad Ikoyi Obekpa.
Ortom said, “Tiv people, Fulanis and other Nigerians had lived together peacefully until foreign Fulani were allowed to move into the country unchecked to cause the current violence being witnessed in the country”.
He explained that the anti-open grazing law of the state “does not discriminate against anyone, but a win-win for both herders and farmers. In as much as the law prohibits open grazing, it is also against Cattle rustling. The law does not spare any offender from prosecution, including natives.
The Emir of Keffi, who recalled his early days in Makurdi, where he had his primary education, presented his condolence letter to Ortom from the Governor of Nasarawa state, saying the newsof Och’Idoma’s demise was an unfortunate incident foe Benue, Nasarawa and the entire country.
