We will not surrender Benue to Fulani herdsmen - Ortom

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state has said that a law to prohibit open grazing of cattle in his state will soon be enacted. The governor made this disclosure in Makurdi, Benue state capital on Monday, June 27, at the end of the Town Hall Meeting he held with stakeholders in the three senatorial zones of the state. According to him, his administration will not surrender Benue state to the invading Fulani herdsmen, despite unending attacks on communities in the state, Vanguard reports. However, Ortom revealed that his government would continue to support those who were prepared to ranch their cattle in the state. Gov Ortom has said he will not surrender Benue state to the invading Fulani herdsmen, despite unending attacks on communities in the state The governor said agriculture remained the biggest industry in the state, noting that available land in the state could not accommodate farming and cattle grazing at the same time. He said: “I have made it clear that we will not surrender Benue to herdsmen. We are saying that we do not have land for grazing. Though we are ready to support those that are prepared to ranch their cows but for those involved in open grazing should find other states because with the new law that would soon come into effect, that practice will not be acceptable in Benue state.” Governor Ortom commiserated with families who have lost loved ones to the ravaging Fulani herdsmen, assuring them that his administration was working round the clock to ensure that peace reigned across the state. Eight local government areas in Benue state, comprising Agatu, Buruku, Guma, Gwer-West, Logo, Kwande, Gwer-East and Katsina-Ala, have been under recurrent heavy attacks from the Fulani herdsmen Reports state that between 300 and 500 people were murdered in Agatu and other communities of Benue earlier in March. The attacks by Fulani herdsmen has left many Benue residents leaving their various villages for safety.