By Ken Afor
Amid the current spate of insecurity, which has disrupted farming activities in Benue State, the leadership of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN) is collaborating with the state government to eradicate what it refers to as foreign herdsmen in some parts of the state.
This collaboration was initiated following a meeting of MACBAN members, who are herders in the state, Benue Local Government Council Chairmen, security heads, Traditional Rulers, and critical stakeholders.
The meeting was summoned by the Special Adviser to the Governor Caleb Mutfwang on Security and Internal Affairs, Chief Joseph Har as well as his counterpart on External Security and Strategy, Lt. Col. Alex Anshungu(retd).
The Governor’s aide, while cautioning herders in the state, noted that the Benue State Open Grazing and Ranches Establishment Law was still very much in force, and various agencies would intensify efforts to ensure its total enforcement in every nook and cranny of the state.
He called on herders not to rely on the government for support due to the lucrative nature of cattle rearing, urging them to ranch their cattle in accordance with the state law.
According to him, the grazing law was not initiated for a particular set of religion or tribe in the state but was set up to entrench peaceful coexistence between host communities and herders.
He said, “As you go back tell your people not to react but be peaceful. We do not want to expose our people to any menace but advise them to remain calm.
“The large influx of cattle into the State is worrisome and disturbing. If you are doing business and someone comes to infringe on it, you will not be happy. Tell them to leave or it will be assumed that you (internal herders) invited them, we will not tolerate anyone infringing on our right.
“The Governor’s silence should not be mistaken for weakness. Local Government Council Chairmen should also restrain their people from attacking herders’ cattle.”
On his part, the Benue State chairman of MACBAN, Mr. Ardo Risku Mohammed, lamented the alarming rate at which unknown armed herdsmen were migrating into the state with their cattle, posing a great security risk.
Highlighting the dangers that can be mitigated, Mr. Mohammed advised the relevant authorities to constitute a committee charged with liaising with the herders and their host communities.
The MACBAN leader attributed the recent attacks in the state to gangs of criminals who are unknown to the core members of the association.
He assured, however, that with the collaboration between MACBAN and the state government, these marauders would not find a safe place in the state to carry out their destructive mission again.
On the grazing law in the state, Mr. Mohammed advocated for its openness, which should be applicable to Fulani herdsmen and non-Fulani herders.
He said: “As a leader I know that no stranger can overtake the host. So we will collaborate with government to chase away the external invading herders.”
The State Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) and Chairman of Konshisha LGA, Mr. Philip Achuah, pledged that no local government would condone the attack of herders by locals.
He called on the Council Chairmen to collaborate with the leadership of Fulani herders in their localities to ensure peaceful coexistence.
It would be recalled that on Thursday, some residents in the Adijah community in Ugbokpo, Apa local government area of Benue State were reportedly killed following an attack by suspected herdsmen in the area.
While Thursday’s killing is one of the numerous incidents in the state, particularly in north-central Nigeria, reports indicate that the current wave of insecurity in these states, mostly in agrarian communities, has prevented farmers from going to the farm, hence resulting in low production of farm products in the country.
