Benue State Government has raised alarm over renewed influx of armed herdsmen with large herds of cattle into some parts of the state.
The State Deputy Governor, Mr. Benson Abounu, who disclosed this while briefing journalists in Makurdi, on Wednesday, said the state impounded 376 cows while six herdsmen were apprehended in Kaseyo, Guma Local Government Area of the state.
He told journalists that the herders were being investigated by the authorities.
Abounu explained that investigation followed the declaration by the Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, about regrouping of Boko Haram insurgents at the boundary between Benue and Nasarawa.
He noted that the investigation has uncovered mass presence of cattle along River Benue in Agatu and Gwer West Local Government Areas.
“I’m sure you are aware in most recent past, there was a declaration by the governor of Nasarawa State when he visited the Aso Rock that there is a deployment of Boko Haram at the border of Benue and Nasarawa States.
“As a result of this, we in Benue State in conjunction with security operatives swung into action to find out the truth or otherwise on that declaration. We have no reason to doubt the statement at all.”
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According to him, security checks revealed the invasion of armed herdsmen with AK47 riffles and large herds of cattle on the brink of River Benue on the Nasarawa State bank.
He stated that in keeping with the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law of the state, the cows were kept at the quarantine centre in the state and would be released to the owners after fulfilling the necessary conditions.
The Deputy Governor noted that Benue as one of the federating units of Nigeria is governed by laws, one of which is the one prohibiting open grazing being enforced effectively with the primary aim of ending conflicts between herders and farmers.
He urged livestock farmers to acquire land in the state through lease for their businesses saying Benue is not in anyway contemplating abrogating the law for any reason.
