Gov Alia Warns against Cattle Rustling in Benue

George Okoh in Makurdi

Benue State Governor, Rev. Father Hyacinth Alia, has  appealed to stakeholders especially law enforcement agents to show sincerity in the implementation as well as enforcement of the anti-open grazing prohibition law currently in place in the state.

He also advised security agencies to assist the peace process by guiding against cattle rustling in the state.

He announced that a sub-committee to be headed by the Security Adviser to the governor with other members comprising Commissioner of Police, Director State Security Services, traditional rulers, NAPTIP, Immigration and BLGCA have been set up to identify heads of herders in the state and report back to the state security council within three weeks for action.

The governor, who made the announcement as part of resolutions during a media briefing at the end of the state security council meeting held at Government House Makurdi, said the security council equally informed stakeholders of both parties in the state to note that the Anti Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law enacted in the state is still in existence, stressing that it must be respected by both indigenes and other citizens of the country resident in the state. 

for the purpose of carrying out business.

The governor, who was represented by his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, also told journalists that council recommended dialogue as a major means of resolving the lingering crisis as well as involvement of stakeholders of various sectors to ensure enforcement of the anti open grazing prohibition law which has come to stay rather than a single approach.

The governor further revealed that security council equally emphasised the need for parties involved to explore measures to prevent further attacks rather than resulting to reactionary approach which has failed in the past, adding that council also stressed the need to work towards a peaceful environment for internally displaced persons (IDPs) to return to their ancestral homes.

He also told journalists that the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Paul Biam and the Deputy Governor, Mr. Sam Ode, were mandated to liaise with stakeholders of Otukpo and Ohimini local government areas as discussed in the previous meeting to find a lasting solution to the boundary skirmishes.