Alia also assured all inhabitants of Benue State that the law was not targeted at any particular group of persons
By Kehinde Okeowo
Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Ali has instructed security operatives in the state to commence the full implementation of the anti-open grazing law following the expiration of the 14-day ultimatum given to herdsmen.
He gave the order on Wednesday at a press briefing held at the Old Banquet Hall of Government House, Makurdi.
Gov Alia, who was represented by his deputy, Dr Sam Ode, disclosed that the State Security Council took the decision following the large influx of herders into the state.
He said that in the course of the 14-day ultimatum, the security council had monitored the activities of the armed herdsmen and studied the report of a 7-man committee, headed by the Force Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke in the state.
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The governor also expressed satisfaction with the report, emphasizing that the law was not targeted at any particular group of persons.
He, however, warned that anyone who was in contravention of the law, regardless of whoever, would be prosecuted, disclosing that over the last 2 weeks, there had been a peaceful withdrawal of most of the herders in the state.
Alia said, “As from now, anyone who engages in open grazing in the state will have the full weight of the law bear on him.”
Also speaking at the event, the chairman of the committee who is the force commander of Operation Whirl Stroke, Maj-Gen. Sunday Igbinomwanhia said that it was now time for a kinetic approach after the 14-day ultimatum.
He explained that security operatives embarked on clearance operations during the non-kinetic approach
The commander added that a lot of compliance was made when the ultimatum lasted.
He said, “Now that the ultimatum has elapsed, security operatives will now begin implementation of the anti-open grazing law.”
In addition, the Commissioner of Justice and Public Order, Barr. Fidelis Mnyim further explained that whoever wanted to rear cattle in the state must ranch their cattle as the anti open grazing prohibition and ranches establishment law of 2017 was still in force in the state, and anyone caught in the act of open grazing would face the full wrath of the law.