OPEN GRAZING: Benue govt goes tough, seizes 105 cows

A total of 105 cows caught grazing openly near Akawe Torkula College of Advanced and Professional Studies, Makurdi, have been seized by the Benue State government.

Reports say the arrest was effected by officials of the Benue State Livestock Guards who are out to impose an existing law prohibiting open grazing in the state.

The arrest was confirmed by Mr. Linus Zaki, the Commander of the Guards who also revealed that a herder identified as Kunje Saija was also arrested.

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The development comes days after the state governor Samuel Ortom had reminded Fulani herdsmen entering the state to obey an existing law prohibiting open grazing which state s that animals should not be transported into the state by foot.

Ortom who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Terver Akase warned that there is a tendency for herdsmen, entering the state with cattle, to mistake farmland for open field as dry season sets in.

The governor said, “Those herdsmen coming into the state from Mali or Niger, should ask their members, who are here, that there is a law on the ground and that the law stipulates that whoever wants to ranch or rear livestock in Benue has to obtain permit.”

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