By Charles Adingupu
Amid reported daily Killing of villagers and invasion of communities in Benue, the State Governor, Samuel Loraer Ortom has announced the suspension of the anti-grazing law.
The Governor who gave the order, also placed the Benue State Community Volunteer Guards on two weeks suspension.
Ortom said the decision to embargo the anti-grazing law and suspension of vigilante groups in the state for two weeks, was to allow migrating cattle rearers using Benue State as a thoroughfare, as well as those herdsmen trapped by the ongoing communal Imbroglio in the state have unhindered passage to their various destinations.
Though, the Governor declined to comment on what would be the government action at the expiration of the two weeks deadline as palpable fear now grip residents in the state.
In recent times, renewed attack on the people by suspected armed fulani herdsmen had overstretched security agencies domiciled in the state.
The New Diplomat earlier reported during the week that 18 out of the 23 local government areas in Benue State have been allegedly taken over by fulani herdsmen.
The state have been embroiled in series of clashes between the natives and suspected fulani herdsmen, with many villages sacked by the ravaging suspected herders.
The suspected herders, in their killing spree, turned the entire state into a theatre of war, in their wake, leaving every family holds to mourn their dead.
As at last week, no fewer than 139 persons were reportedly slaughtered by the masquerading herders who have already taken tenancy of farmlands owned by the indigenous people of Benue.
“Today, the Fulani herdsmen have taken over farmlands in the various communities where the natives have been sacked and feeding fat on their produce.
They have indeed laboured in vein.
“The displaced persons camp is already over crowded with over 5,000 persons currently being catered for, with more people trying to find their way to the camp,” Ortom lamented.
The Governor has reiterated that the invading suspected fulani herdsmen are not Nigerian fulanis but foreigners who are mostly engrossed in land grabbing.
