Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has warned cattle owners in Benue State to ensure that their animals are properly ranched to avoid open grazing or they would be made to face sanctions as stipulated by law.
The Governor gave the warning on Wednesday when he sighted a herd of cattle roaming the streets at Iniongun road, Wadata area of Makurdi, where he visited to ascertain the level of damage done by flooding.
On sighting the cows, the Governor directed Livestock Guards to immediately impound the animals and take them to the Quarantine Unit.
He stated that by provisions of the ranching law, the cattle would be auctioned if the owner fails to pay the requisite fines after seven days.
READ ALSO: Ortom Inspects Flooded Communities, Call For Dredging Of River Benue
“By the provisions of our law, no livestock has the right to do open grazing. These ones we intercepted now, you can see they are feeding on peoples flowers. This is not allowed. This is trespass to our law and the law will take its course,” Ortom said.
He stressed that the law does not accord preferences to any individual or group, whether they are Benue indigenes or not.
He stated further that herders who refuse to keep their livestock in ranches would be prosecuted in accordance with provisions of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law, 2017.
He called on Benue people to volunteer information regarding open grazing of animals to Livestock Guards and other constituted authorities, saying officers and men of the agency would not be everywhere.
The Next Edition reports that the two boys herding the cattle took to their heels on seeing the Governor and his convoy.
